20 
PHEASANT RAISING IN THE UNITED STATES. 
the dog, flies too low, and is rather inferior in flavor. In addition, 
its pugnacity makes it dangerous to other game birds. It is still 
found wild in limited numbers in northern Oregon, where it was in¬ 
troduced shortly after the successful introduction of the ringneck. 
The golden and Lady Amherst pheasants (fig. 6) have been introduced 
into game coverts, both here and in England, and the gorgeously 
feathered monaul (fig. 9) has received a limited trial in Wales. The 
better place for these birds is probably the aviary. 
METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 
OBTAINING STOCK. 
A pheasantry may be started with mature birds or with eggs, the 
latter to be hatched by barnyard fowls. Many are tempted to begin 
with eggs because of smaller cost, but the uncertainties attendant on 
hatching the eggs and raising the young are such that it is probably 
cheaper to secure full-grown birds at the outset. If eggs are to be 
tried, they should be ordered in January or February, to be delivered 
in April or May. They should be placed under the hen as soon as 
possible. 
Pheasants may be obtained from reputable dealers, of which there 
are a score or more in the United States and Canada, or they may be 
imported from Europe or Asia. If stock be imported, trouble may 
be saved by securing it through experienced and reliable bird import¬ 
ers, who are familiar with the business. A pen should be provided 
and supplied with food and water. On the arrival of the birds the 
crate should be placed in the pen, an opening should be made in the 
crate (preferably in the evening) sufficient to allow the birds to 
escape one at a time, and the attendant should withdraw, leaving 
the birds to find their way out alone. For the first few days they 
should be disturbed as little as possible. 
PRICES. 
The prices of pheasants vary with the season. They are lowest 
at the close of the breeding season and increase gradually until the 
next. They vary also according to the dealer; but so many things 
are to be considered, such as purity of stock, freedom from disease, 
care in shipment, and other details, that the lowest prices do not 
always mean the cheapest birds. English ringneck pheasants are 
least expensive—about $5 a pair. English pheasants and ringnecks 
(the pure-blooded birds) cost a little more; Reeves and versicolor 
pheasants, about $18 a pair; and Mongolian, $40. Of the more 
common aviary birds golden and silver pheasants are the cheapest, 
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