G. II. Edwards—Pheasants



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exquisite little Parrot, soft green, with lovely grey on top of the head,

blue grey wings and tail, which have two curious elongated spatulated

feathers, hence its name. This is a most difficult Parrot to keep, they

seem to die for no apparent reason, even with the most careful treat¬

ment ; this one has been in the collection since 1930, and does genial

Head-keeper Alden great credit; it is always a pleasure to notice the

genuine affection he shows for this Parrot, and indeed all the many

varieties entrusted to his care.



PHEASANTS

By Geo. Hampden Edwards

I


THE PHEASANT IN HISTORY—ITS INTRODUCTION TO BRITAIN—


A THEORY


Nature has been very lavish with the Pheasant family in the

matter of colour ; they are a highly specialized family in many respects.

Our covert Pheasant is really exotically decorated—a handsome bird

indeed is the cock, especially in the spring. But our Pheasant is really

a “ mongrel ”—and a mystery. A mongrel because it is a cross

between several species, and a mystery because no one really knows

how or whence it came to these Isles.


Now, it is known that the Pheasant has been a much prized bird

in this country for many centuries. W. B. Tegetmeier, in his authori¬

tative work Pheasants, quotes some very interesting data. He mentions

that the tract from the “ bill of fare drawn up by Harold for the

Canons household a.d. 1059 ”, makes reference to Pheasants, and it is

urged that this mention of Pheasants shows that these birds had

become naturalized in England before the Norman Invasion, and that,

as the English and Danes were not recorded as introducers of strange

animals, it is fair presumptive evidence that Pheasants were introduced

by the Homans. These references in old writings are rather quaint.


For instance :—


“ xvj. Nov. 1532 :


“Itm the same daye paied to the fesaunt [pheasant]


“ breder in rewarde . . . ixs. iiijd.”



