Pheasant or Grouse An introduction to Scotland which seems a
superfluity, if no worse, is the pheasant. Large numbers are being reared this year and the population of this conventional fowl continues to increase greatly, not least in the districts where the rapid decrease, and indeed in some districts the total disappearance of black game is regretted. It was positively unpleasant, at least to a visitor, to come upon intensive groups of artificially- reared pheasants in the midst of characteristic Scottish scenery where the red grouse and black game had been at home; and, indeed, to know that they were shot in the conventional manner by expert marksmen who demand big bags. The pheasant is not actively hostile to other birds (unless it is of the Amherst species) but it is, I think, beyond doubt that the multiplication of pheasants has reduced the tale of native game-birds, whatever other causes have led to the loss of black game.
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