On the subject of the more or less newly introduced
varieties of pheasant, they include Amhersts, Reeve's, Eliot, Golden, Silver, Japanese Versicolor, Melanistic Mutants and many others. There are two qualities in the various tribes not yet tested. How do they compare with the Caucasian and Mongolian varieties in vagabondagc ; and how do they agree with their neighbours ? The case against the Amherst is the strongest. Its pre-nuptial displays (as charmingly described to me by al correspondent) must doubtless be put- down on the credit side ; but there is, I think, little doubt that it drives away its cousins. It is as polemical as the peacocks that it resembles, which are used in China as watch dogs, and will attack man as well as bird. Besides, it does not fly more than a yard or two high ; and it makes a noise like a piccolo, an oddly incongruous note within an English wood. * * * *
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