WILD LIFE ON THE WING 
desire for war, not love that it was the 
brazen voice of the " Chickery-Cock " rather 
than her charms which had lured him back 
again. Since the day when Creaban had 
fought the Cock in his own yard, the Tonsella 
fowls were shut up all night, and now as they 
awoke tardily in the dark hen-house every 
morning, they heard the clear defiant : "Kor- 
kock ! ): Then the " Chickery-Cock " would 
draw himself up and crow loudly in answer, 
furious that a stranger should trespass so closely 
to his yard, and he not be able to resent it ; 
and the Yellow Pullet used to cower close to 
the door, and watch eagerly for it to open. 
But although at times the Pheasant was 
insolently bold, he was wary enough where 
men were concerned ; and later on, when 
smoke was blown from the house-chimney, 
he never went near the place. Then the 
" Chickery-Cock " and the Yellow Pullet for 
divers reasons went to look for him. They 
found where he had scraped for pignuts ; they 
found his secret dusting places. Three days they 
sought, and on the third day the " Chickery- 
Cock " found him. The Yellow Pullet ran 
from the brake where she loitered, but she 
came too late. The " Chickery-Cock " stood 
alone in the clearing, and at his feet lay a tuft 
of shining feathers, crimson-quilled. Trium- 
192 
