R. F. Rouse—Fancy Pheasants



97



FANCY PHEASANTS


By B. F. Bouse


It has been suggested by a fellow member that I should give my

impressions on the keeping and care of these beautiful birds. I am

happy to do so knowing that every true Aviculturist will be interested

in the experiences of an amateur.


In the first place, I read an article in this magazine on these birds,

after which I decided to commence in a small way by purchasing a

pair of Golden ( Chrysolophus pictus) from Bogers of Liverpool. These

birds duly arrived in splendid condition and almost immediately

commenced to lay. In due course six eggs were laid, all of which proved

fertile and were hatched out. Two chicks died during the first week

owing, I believe, to the lateness of the season ; the remainder are in

my possession to-day, fine, strong, healthy birds.


Encouraged by this success I was most anxious to proceed further

and, fortunately, at this period there appeared an article in this

magazine by Paul Lambert, of Nawton, which proved most interesting

and instructive. He stated that anyone intending to take up this

hobby should not hesitate to communicate with him when he would

be happy to place his knowledge at their disposal. I took advantage

of this very generous offer with the result that we now correspond

regularly and, from the one pair of Golden Pheasants, some eleven

other species have been purchased, a list of which is herewith given :—


Silver ( Gennceus nycthemerus).


Amherst ( Chrysolophus amherstice).


Siamese Fireback (Diardigallus diardi).


Pure White (Phasianus colchicus var.).


Mongolian, Pure (P. colchicus mongolicus ).


Ternminck’s Tragopan ( Tragopan temmincki).


Impeyan ( Lophophorus impeyanus).


Vieillots Fireback (L. rufa).


Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron hicalcaratum).


Beeves (Syrmaticus reevesi).


Edwards ( Gennceus edwardsi).



