The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-10
THE AsIArIC PHEASANT.
Steps Being Taken to Protect the Gaudy
Bird In Oregon.


/. On the 21ss day Of November, 1885, the
Oregon legislature made it unlawful for the
term of six years from that date to injure.
take, kill, expose, or offer for sale or have
in possession, except for breeding pur-
poses, any ringneck Monaghan pleas.
ant, any green Japanese pheasant, any
copper pheasant, or scholmeringu, any
tragopan pheasant, silver pheasant, or
golden pheasant, being the species Of
pheasants imported into that state by the
Hon. O. n. DENLY, ex-United States con-
sui general to Shanghai, China, the PEN
atty upon conviction being a fine of not
less than $50 nor more than 500, and in
default of payment OF the fine imposed i'm.
of one day for each 81 of the fine imposed
The best citizens and various clubs put
forth great exertions to enforce this Jaw
and protect these beautiful birds: but
there is class Of people in every state
and in every community who have not the
fear of the law in their hearts, and that
resort to mean and despicable methods to
benedcent i laws, '' which ''s We're 'n en-.
mate pleasure and good as for that of
other and better people. These people
would be indignant if accused of being
petit larceny thieves, and yet proudly
boast of bagging three or four dozen Of
these lovely birds in open violation Of q
good law and sportsman's honor. But
the Monaghan pheasants are hardy birds.
and have learned to put their trust in their
own cunning and activity rather than in
the statute laws of the state for protection.
They have come to stay in spite of the
unmanly efforts to destroy them, and they
are prospering and becoming pretty we'll
distributed over Western Oregon and
WaShin Ufnn Thov f,,T
description, cocks Boosting the most gorge
Gus plumage of all the feathered tribes of
earth. Their stunning loneliness would
make rainbow turn pale with envy.
Unlike the common grouse and pleas
ant, they never 'stree" Gin the parlance of
the country ,urchin). They win lead the
gailop before flushing, their flight is irres-
ular and strong, they light on the dead
will carry off a handful of No.
6 shot. They are very pugnacious. and
often visit the neighboring barnyards lust
for the fun of licking the boss rooster; In
fact, their well-known pugnacity has been
turned to good account in capturing them
alive. have been told by persons whose
regulations for truth and veracity in other
matters have never been questioned that
they have witnessed something like the
following: Tie barpyard rooster
out IN q burn" The rooster crows. the
pheasant accepts the challenge (his an
swer much resembling the crow of q
spring chicken) and comes forth to fight
Unless he kills his antagonist early in the
hight, he will become so infatuated with
his Job and so oblivious of his surround
ings that he can easily be taken.
This generous country, with its eouable
climate, seems peculiarly suited to them.
and they have readily accommodated
themselves TO their new home Other
wild fowl might profi,ably take few
lessons from the Monaghan on various
points. The Willamette Valley farmers saw
that the female will lead her brood 10 the
heid OF ripening grain and, flying slowly
close over the wheat, whip out with her
wings fat breakfast for the young long
taiis IN few minutes. This is undoub{-
euiy an innovation upon the time-honored
custom Of pulling down the stalks-the
grain eating fowl