11 JANUARY 1930, Page 16

The extreme number of cocks is the more curious among

pheasants as the bird, unlike that most faithful of birds, the partridge, is polygamous. How has it come about that every year cocks are in excess of nature's requirements ; and much in excess ? On every well regulated covert they are regarded as a sort of vermin ; and shot down remorselessly towards the end of the season. Though as a rule more hens than cocks are shot earlier in the season there seems to be a normal excess of cocks which are not only useless but a hindrance to breeding.