200



Correspondence



another year or two we shall see several of the rare varieties changing hands

through the medium of this most useful paper. Another advantage we

Pheasant lovers hope to gain and that is that we shall be able to correspond

with each other and exchange birds and thereby get fresh blood into our

aviaries. With many of the rarer varieties this is most essential. So much

in-breeding means sickly chicks, weak constitutions, and malformed feet.

I could quote numerous instances of this. I will just mention one. M. Delacour

was the first and only importer of the very rare Imperial Pheasant, with the

result that this Pheasant is terribly in-bred by now. This also applies in a

lesser degree to the Edwards and the Elliot. All these birds, I believe, were

first brought into this country by M. Delacour. We, indeed, owe a debt of

gratitude to this gentleman. I am glad to say that Mr. Lambert has been

able to import some Elliots from America this winter, which arrived here in

good condition. These birds, of course, will be unrelated to those in this

country. I have taken advantage of this importation and purchased a pair.

I am very fond of this Pheasant. He is a hardy fellow, very beautiful, easy

to rear, and easy to sell. I gave £25 for my first pair, you can now buy a pair

for £10. They have an added attraction in that they attain full plumage the

first year. I recommend this species to a beginner. Talking of importing

Pheasants, I have at this moment well over £100 worth of Pheasants on their

way to this country from India, from where so many of our most beautiful

Pheasants come. The Satyr Tragopan, which takes pride of place in my

estimation, hails from India. He is a gem and will eat from your hand a month

or less after arriving in this country. The Monaul or Impeyan, the Cheer,

and the Koklas all come from the same part of the world. My consignment

consists of all these species, but mostly Tragopans.


It is unfortunately, with few exceptions, the only means of procuring

these lovely birds. There are few in this country and they are not good

breeders. If anyone wants to do a really good turn to the O.P.S. I suggest he

imports some Lady Amhersts from their native China. They are badly wanted

over here. It is pitiable to see the number of so-called pure Amhersts which are

being sold in this country. Ninety per cent are not pure. It is a pity that the

male bird of this graceful Pheasant becomes so vicious in the breeding season

and often ends in cold-blooded murder. But no collection is complete without

this bird. If proper care is taken during the breeding time casualties will be

considerably lessened.


The breeding season will soon be with us. By the time these notes are in.

print we shall be gathering eggs from the Elliot and Peacock Pheasants, the

first to lay. The Peacock Pheasant is a truly delightful little bird, very hardy,,

most graceful, and very tractable. But beware my friends. Do not give him

more than one hen and do not put other Pheasants with him at other times

of the year. If you do, you have signed their death warrant. I do not recom¬

mend Firebacks to beginners. I see Mr. Lambert gives this same advice in.

Cage Birds.



