experimentally on two or three great estates. But there have
been very successful introductions, including the pheasant and some of the deer. This week three foreigners, whose appearance not a little surprised, were seen at large in one parish. They were a number of Amherst pheasants, a Reeve's pheasant and a barking. deer. It is curious to observe the varying habits of birds so nearly related as the pheasants. The Amherst refuses to fly at any respectable height. It is almost sheepish, running as far as it can away from a beater or other pedestrian and often doubling back without rising. The Reeve's, on the other hand, being possessed of a marvellous rudder and plane, in addition to powerful wings, is proud to rise high over the loftiest elms—and what a fine spectacle it gives ! The number of barking deer or muntjack seems to be increasing. Whether they do much barns I doubt, except in places where young trees have been planted. But in general people who carry guns are asked not to spare them, but to treat them as they would treat the grey squirrel.
Previous page
