Nesting activities in northern Honshu may begin in early April 
and as early as January for the southern green pheasant in Kyushu. In 
northern Honshu, egg-laying occurs around April 25 according to the 
local wildlife official, \a 
Renesting occurs if the first nest is disturbed or destroyed and 
often results in second or later clutches appearing from late June into 
August. 
Eggs 
The eggs are small, varying in color from brownish to greenish- 
gray. Egg sizes as noted by Austin and Kuroda (4) average 43 x 35 mm. 
The female alone incubates the eggs in the wild for a period of 23 
to 25 days. 
Brooding and Rearing 
As soon as the chicks are hatched and dry they leave the nest with 
the mother. She is a strong protector of her young and broods them 
until they become too large to fit under her wings. After 8 to 10 days 
young birds are able to fly short distances. Young remain with the 
mother for about three months, 
Insects are avidly taken by all young growing birds, and water is 
no problem in Japan due to high monthly precipitation and humidity. 
Gregariousness 
Normally only small groups of adult male and female pheasants are 
found living in close proximity to each other, At the commencement of 
breeding in the spring each year, one male and one or more females may 
be found together in their selected breeding territories. Following 
the nesting period the cock pheasants may rejoin the female and her 
brood or may flock with other male birds during late fall or winter. 
Psychology and Behavior 
When found close to human habitations in Japan, green pheasants 
tend to be shy and to hide quickly when approached. They are not as 
wild as the copper pheasant either in the field or in game farms. 
During the breeding season, male pheasants claim and defend their 
territory against all other potential male breeders. Fights between 
male birds seldom result in death; one bird usually retreats. 
(a) Information from Mr. Kawamura, Iwate Prefectural Game Warden, 
Morioka, Japan 
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