No bird is more artful than an old cock pheasant, or better able to
take care of himself. At this season a solitary cock may be observed
night after night roosting in some isolated tree, out in the wind-swept
fields, and far from the sheltered coverts. Yet you may hunt this
bird all day, high and low, in vain. When, on the way home, you pass
his dark form on a lonely perch, you feel he deserves to rest in
peace. Sometimes the old cock is over-cunning, or too confident in
the safety of his retreat. He may allow one to approach within a few
feet, although he certainly heard footsteps in time to make his escape.
A certain keeper can tell many tales of the inglorious ends of his
cunning cock pheasants, but most of these episodes are better forgotten.
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