PHEASANT KAISING IN THE UNITED STATES. 
19 
eggs and chicks. An infusion of wild blood, especially of another 
species, will temporarily correct this tendency; though the experience 
of the last hundred years in England seems to indicate that hybrids 
eventually reach a grade inferior to that of either parent. Hybrids 
between the English pheasant and the ringneck, and later between 
this hybrid and the versicolor pheasant, were at first greatly sought, 
but at the present day the pure-blooded birds of these three species 
are more highly valued than the composite birds. 
GAME PHEASANTS. 
There is not much difference between the pure versicolor, ringneck, 
and English pheasants, as regards value in the field or on the table, 
though the Japanese bird is smaller than either of the other two, a 
trifle wilder, a more potent breeder, and possibly less disposed to 
stray; while ringneck hens are perhaps more prolific than those of 
the other species. 
The Mongolian pheasant ( Phasianus mongolicus), a large, hardy, 
handsome bird, may prove of value in game preserves. Pure stock 
of this species is maintained by Hon. Walter Rothschild in his pheas- 
antry at Tring, Herts, England. The cross between this pheasant 
and the ringneck is reported as both larger and handsomer than the 
ringneck, and also a bolder flyer; but we should hesitate to regard 
this improvement of stock as permanent. The Prince of Wales 
pheasant {Phasianus principalis), recently introduced into England 
from Afghanistan, and since imported to a slight extent into the 
United States, is greatly praised by those who have tried it. The 
handsome Hagenbeck pheasant {Phasianus hagenbecki) from the 
Kobdo Valley in northwestern Mongolia (the most northerly point 
occupied by any member of the pheasant family) is strongly recom¬ 
mended by W. B. Tegetmeier, a leading English authority, on 
account of its large size, handsome plumage, and fine edible qualities; 
and the Reeves pheasant (fig. 5), in the few places where it has been 
tried, has proved very desirable. Many species of true pheasants 
(Phasianus ) have not yet been tested in Europe or America, but 
probably each in a suitable region would prove satisfactory to both 
sportsmen and epicures. 
As regards the pheasants of other genera, usually seen only in 
aviaries and zoological collections, some would be of little value in 
game preserves. Thus the Manchurian eared pheasant (fig. 7), a 
large and heavy bird from the mountains of Manchuria and northern 
China, is too tame and apathetic for the game fields. The silver 
pheasant, a favorite aviary bird and one of the easiest to raise in 
captivity, is not a satisfactory game bird, as it runs too much before 
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