Correspondence



171



The cock bird is an adult red-head, the hen a black-head, bred by us

in February, 1933. At the early age of ten months she went to nest, which

resulted five weeks later in six absolutely perfect youngsters appearing from

the nest.


The young birds were left with the parents until we were quite satisfied

that they were capable of fending for themselves when they were removed

to separate quarters.


About a month after their removal the hen was sitting again and the

second nest produced four youngsters of equal calibre to the first six.


Six weeks ago the birds were still in such perfect condition and free from

any signs of moult that we gave them their nesting-box again, and they

made a very good start by producing a nest of young, as we could tell by

the noise from the nest at feeding time.


It was at this stage that our first troubles of the year began. The parents

started fighting to such an extent that all thoughts of feeding the young

became secondary to their desire to maim each other.


Something had to be done, so we took the cock away. The hen has fed

and brought out yet four more of the finest young Gouldians I ever wish

to see. Amongst the total of fourteen youngsters not one has ever looked

back, and the first signs of rough feather has iust started with the moult

of the first two broods towards adult plumage, although their health is perfect.


A. C. Furner.



PHEASANTS


Regarding the communication from Mr. P. W. Teague regarding the age

of Silver Pheasants. I have a Golden Amherst Hybrid cock which I bred

in 1920. When about three weeks old, one of its legs was accidentally broken

in moving a coop. I was just about to screw its neck, when a friend who

happened to be with me at the time suggested putting it in splints. This

we did and the bird recovered and grew into a very fine Pheasant, but during

the last few years it has walked with a slight limp, no doubt due to the effect

of the early fracture. This Pheasant is quite a pet and practically tame.

On several occasions, when I have been short of aviary room, I have put it

in the poultry run. I have also had it loose in the garden but, on account

of cats, I now keep it permanently in an aviary. This bird seems to get

better plumage every year, and has now an enormous tail.


An extraordinary thing about Golden and Amherst Pheasants is their

liking for snow. During the very heavy snow-storm last year, I went out

one night, and found all the Golden and Amherst Pheasants sleeping out

in the snow r . I went to pick them up for dead, but found they were quite

lively, and they seemed to be none the worse for it next day.


Regarding a cross between the Silver Pheasant and the Golden Pheasant.

I think this is a very extraordinary cross, although I have heard of it once

before. Mr. Irving, of Belfast, has a cross between a Reeves and a Swinhoe,

which is the first I have ever heard of.


I bred last year a cross between a Golden Pheasant cock, and a Game

Bantam hen. This cross is a beautifully shaped bird, and walks with great

style. The most remarkable thing about it is that it is bigger than either

parent. It also seems wilder, and I should like to turn it out among the



