Correspondence



199



THE CHARM OF PHEASANT-KEEPING


I have the pleasure of knowing Miss Chawner and I know that she has a

soft place in her heart for fancy Pheasants. So I am hoping she will be able to

find space in the Avicultural Magazine for the article on “ Ornamental

Pheasants It is very gratifying to see the increased interest that is being

taken in fancy Pheasants. I have often wondered why more people do not

keep these lovely birds. I have kept them for many years, and the longer

I have them the keener I become. I have tried through articles in the

Avicultural Magazine and other papers to get people interested and perhaps

I have succeeded in a small way. But it was not until my friend Mr. Lambert

came to the front that things got really going. He is to be congratulated on the

zeal and keenness he has shown. We often see each other and talk about the

Pheasant world in general. It is thanks to Mr. Lambert that the O.P.S. was

inaugurated and is proving such a success and a boon to those who have

Pheasants for sale. Miss Grant-Ives is proving herself such an efficient and

workmanlike secretary that members are rolling in every week. There is no

doubt whatever that this Society has been the means of stimulating people’s

interest in this fascinating hobby. I am delighted to see M. Delacour’s name

as a member. I have the pleasure of knowing this very keen aviculturist

and have paid two or three visits to his aviaries at Cleres. I have bought many

Pheasants from him, mostly the rare varieties. He has a truly wonderful

collection. I understand M. Delacour has invited the members of the O.P.S.

to visit his aviaries in August. Go, and you will not regret it. You will see

many other tropical birds besides Pheasants, and you may see some monkeys,

and Parrots flying about his park. Just a few words about the O.P.S.

Mr. Lambert and I have had several talks on this subject from time to time

and our main purpose in starting this society is to encourage more and more

people in the keeping of fancy Pheasants. That object is certainly being

attained already. Mr. Lambert tells me that the demand and interest in these

birds is rising rapidly. It has been, moreover, for the last two years, because

the more people who see these lovely birds the more they wish to obtain

possession of them.


But that is not our only object in forming this society. We want to try

to save from total extinction some of the rarer varieties, by importing and

breeding them in Europe. As M. Delacour remarks, there is real danger that

this will take place very shortly if something is not done at once. As it is he

tells me that that beautiful Pheasant, the Mongolian, is nearly extinct. Some

of you will gape and discredit this statement, because you may see from time

to time advertisements in the Field, “ Pure Mongolians ” for sale. They were,

no doubt, pure some years ago, but other blood has crept in since then !

We must get going and import these birds before it is too late. I am glad that

Miss Grant-Ives mentioned this in her weekly notes in Cage Birds. I lay much

stress on this point. By the way, talking of Cage Birds , I am delighted to see

so many Pheasants advertised for sale in this weekly paper. I hope before



