452 On the Jerusalem Artichoke, as a Food for Pheasants. 
winter, 1 observed them feeding on the roots of the Jerusalem Arti¬ 
choke ; and as the severe weather advanced, the number of visitors 
greatly increased. A neighbouring gentleman had abundance of them 
on his grounds, and although he took every precaution to feed them 
regularly with buck-wheat and other grain, I have great reason to 
believe, that his birds were greatly attracted by the roots of the 
Artichoke. I had but little opportunity of observing the birds during 
summer; but as the winter drew near, T found they re-visited the spot 
where the roots grew.—And so numerous had they become, that two 
gentlemen going out shooting one morning, killed no less than eigh¬ 
teen brace close to the habitation. Since then, I have never heard of 
any scarcity of birds. 
The root in question, is perhaps better adapted as food for these 
birds, than any other article that can be grown, as scarcely any bird 
or quadruped feeds upon it. And the pheasant being a very handsome 
bird, and ever resorting where it can find protection, might, I think, 
be so accommodated with this food in woods and plantations, that the 
poacher would scarcely ever be able to find it. Whereas, if fed on 
grain, they congregate together and roost for the night, and so fall an 
easy prey to the poacher’s gun. 
By a little careful attention, the whole of a gentleman’s estate might 
be planted with a sufficient quantity to secure a winter stock for al¬ 
most any number of birds. When once planted, they would require 
no renewal, but would increase to a very great degree, in almost any 
situation in which they were placed. The roots are always pretty well 
secured from frost by their own leaves:—so much so, that I have ob- 
sen^ed even in the most severe winters, when the instinct of the birds 
led them to displace the dead leaves, they were able to feed equally 
as well, to all appearance, as in open weather. This led me to con¬ 
clude that cultivating them for the above purpose, would be of decided 
advantage. 
I am aware that considerable pains are taken to grow buck-wheat, 
and other kinds of grain, &c., for them; but when this is done, a 
large portion of it falls to the share of other birds: and unless the 
keepers pay very great attention to feeding them during the spring 
months, the birds are almost sure to stray from the premises in search 
of food, and generally meet with their destruction. 
I have no doubt, that pheasants in their native wild state, feed 
upon roots in winter; indeed it has been often observed, that they 
prefer the roots of the Bulbous Crowfoot, (Raniinculns hulbosus,') 
to grain. 
I have had correspondence with several of my friends, in different 
parts of the country, on the subject of introducing Jerusalem Arti 
