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Captain C. Scott-Hopkins —



is very often the only way you can procure these birds, as there are

very few bred in this country.


There are four- species of Fireback Pheasants kept in captivity,

three of which I have, the Siamese, the Bornean, and the Yieillot.

The Firebacks are somewhat different in appearance to most Pheasants.

The tail is rounded and not long and they are blessed with enormous

spurs, especially the Yieillot. They are hardy and beautiful but

not easy to rear. They are late layers. The price should be about

£25 a pair.


The Peacock Pheasants ( Polyplectron) are most attractive little

birds and very hardy in spite of the fact that they come from a very

hot country. There are three or four species kept in aviaries, two of

which I have, namely, the Chinquis and the Germain. The former is

the brightest in colour. They are delightful little birds to keep and

soon become quite tame. These birds will incubate their own eggs

and are splendid mothers. Don’t let any other Pheasants come near,

as they are very quarrelsome and will kill any bird their own size.

Last summer a pair of young Chinquis got into an aviary full of young

Goldens and Amhersts and two young Edwards : they killed seven,

including one Edward worth £20. One has to put up with such

misfortunes at times. Rats have killed me pounds’ worth of birds.

Rat-proof aviaries are worth every penny they cost, but be careful

they are rat-proof !


Peacock Pheasants should cost about £15 a pair, except the two

rare kinds. Edwards and Imperials are somewhat similar in appearance,

the latter being the larger. Both are of a lovely blue, the Edwards

cock having a little white on the head. Edwards are easy to rear.

My pair of Imperials did not lay last year, but I am hoping to get

some eggs this year. Both these are very expensive and the Imperial

is one of the rarest Pheasants known to science. Edwards should be

about £40 a pair and Imperials about £70. The Elliot Pheasant

I can strongly recommend for several reasons. He is a fine upstanding

bird with beautiful colouring and very hardy. They are good layers

and early layers. The chicks are easy to rear, and are very independent

little fellows, finding their own food at a very early age. They are

quick growers.



