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The Ring-necked Pheasant. 
Their characteristics in their native wilds are very similar 
to what they are in this country. They lay early and produce 
an abundant supply of eggs. They are of bold flight, rising 
quickly, but noisily from the covert and then fly swiftly straight 
ahead. 
lu English Coverts and Captiinty : In English coverts 't 
is now difficult to find either a pure Ring-neck, or Common 
pheasant (P. colchicus) owing to the interbreeding of the two 
species (the Ring-necks being great wanderers) — the cross-breds 
are perfectly fertile, not only when paired with pure breds of 
Photo E. 0. Page. 
Hen Ring-necked Pheasant incubating. 
Nest just above X . 
either species, but also inter se. The cross-breds vary consid- 
erably in plumage, the neck-collar in some individuals being only 
indicated by a few stray white feathers ; in others the neck-collar 
