G. Beever—Some Remarks on Pheasants and Other Birds 159


SOME REMARKS ON PHEASANTS AND

OTHER BIRDS


By G. Beever


A few years ago when I sent my first article to this Magazine on

Pheasants I felt rather ashamed of myself, as I thought Pheasants

were such easily kept, everyday birds that aviculturists would not be

interested in them. Some time afterwards I read in the Magazine

that the Editor wanted articles dealing with the more commonly

kept birds, as they were of more general interest. Since then I have

not felt I was such an intruder when writing anything about Pheasants.


I am still puzzled why thousands more bird-lovers do not keep

one or more varieties of Fancy Pheasants. These birds equal any

other in beauty, cost little to procure and practically nothing to keep,

and above all are hardier than any other ornamental bird. They can

be kept in almost any back garden, even in an industrial town. I have

seen Golden Pheasants actually reared on a railway siding right in

the centre of a large industrial city. There are also hundreds of

municipal parks in this country where a few pheasant aviaries would

be an enormous attraction. These birds are a never ending source

of delight, especially to children.


If only some of these public park committees would erect a few

Pheasant aviaries others would be sure to follow.


The great recommendation of keeping Pheasants is that they require

no one with special knowledge to keep them in condition. They can

be fed just like ordinary Bantams so long as they are given plenty of

fresh green food.


An idea I have had in my head for years, which might give an

impetus to the keeping of fancy Pheasants, is that a club should be

formed, say of twenty or thirty members, each one of whom would be

willing to give say one or two surplus Golden Cocks every year. These

could be offered in lots of two or three to any municipal park that

would construct a suitable aviary. This might start several aviaries

in different parts of the country and there is no doubt it would lead to

a demand for other species which could be bought from the club on

a commercial basis. I should be willing to do my share if any other

members would agree to do the same.



