Ornamental Pheasant Society



149



The male did not help here either, if he did stick a few scraps in his

feathers he soon shook them out again.


Naturally no domed nest was built, only the bottom of the hole

thinly covered with pieces of leaves. After repeated pairings the first

egg was laid on 12th August between 2.30 and 5.45 p.m., probably

near the end of this period ; on the 13th, 15th, 18th, and 20th she laid

again, five in all. The hen began to sit at once. She sat very close

and was fed on the nest by the male ; she only came out once or twice

in the day.


Unfortunately four of the eggs were infertile and the only fertile

one soon died. A second clutch laid the end of September, were also

infertile. I assume that the male was too old. The five eggs of the

first clutch measured 22 X 17*18 ; they weighed 4 grammes.


Even though complete success was not reached, it appears to me,

from the eagerness which the birds showed and the natural way in

which they behaved until the eggs were found to be infertile, I was

on the right path. I shall repeat my effort, and hope next time to

attain my object.



ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT SOCIETY


By Miss J. M. Grant-Ives


I have several times stated in these notes that one of the principal

objectives of the O.P.S. is to take measures to save many rare pheasants

to posterity. At the present time is it not extraordinary that such

very beautiful pheasants as the Satyr and Blyth Tragopan should be

so rare in confinement ? The former is not rare in its native state,

but before many years it is probable that owing to continual persecution

this species will become exceedingly rare.


The reason for the present scarcity in our aviaries is due to the

fact that only a very small percentage of pheasants that leave the

shores of India reach us in good condition, it is a lamentable fact,

but true.


Monsieur Delacour explained in an article in the last Journal the

great difficulties that have to be overcome in order to bring any

pheasants safely to Europe.



