202 The Common Pheasani. 
year I saw a brace of these birds engaged in a combat, 
and it was remarkable to see the quickness of action, 
with the certainty of blow. The feathers flew in the 
air from almost every stroke. In May the female 
bird scratches away the dead leaves and weeds until 
she has made a shallow hole large enough for her- 
self, where she lays from eight to fourteen eggs ; 
but the situation of it is mostly known to the game- 
keeper of the district, although the eggs are covered 
over with withered leaves when left by the hen bird; 
but the Pheasant uses runs, and when compelled by 
hunger to quit her nest, she goes along the same line 
of ground. This track, when seen by the keeper, in- 
duces him to follow it and see if the eggs that are 
there are in a safe place, and not likely to be found 
by poachers: if it be considered safe, they are per- 
mitted to remain; but should the nest be in a con- 
Spicuous spot, the eggs are taken and placed under 
a barndoor fowl, and the young are reared by hand 
until they are old enough to be placed in a cover, and 
at this season of the year they are called Polts; but 
should they be allowed to remain, they are most pro- 
