Observations on the Breeding Behavior of the Ring-Necked Pheasant

The object of this study was to follow the behavior of individual, wild Ring-necked Pheasants (Phasianus torquatus), particularly cocks, through the breeding season in order to ascertain and interpret the various behavior patterns and apply this knowledge toward a better understanding of the total reproductive effort of this species. The breeding behavior of the Ring-necked Pheasant in the wild has been studied and observed in part by many authors. Bent (1932) has assembled much of the work done in this country prior to 1931, including that of Leffingwell (1928) ; in addition, he quotes Millais ( 1909)) the student of English game birds. Beebe (1931) and, more recently, Kozlowa (1947) have given partial descriptions of the breeding behavior of several members of the genus in their native habitats. Wight (in McAtee, 1945) was the first to describe the entire breeding season of this pheasant from the game manager’s viewpoint; Hiatt and Fisher (1947) have critically examined some of Wight’s findings and added new data. Baskett (1947) has made incidental observations on breeding behavior and examined the problem of territoriality. Einarsen (1945) has described some aspects of social friction in a high-density population. Several of these papers appeared subsequent to the inception of the present study in 1947. The study area consisted of a 349-acre marsh lying along Nine-Springs Creek in the Town of Fitchburg, Dane County, Wisconsin, and the surrounding uplands. This marsh, which includes the Nevin State Fish Hatchery Refuge, is typical of winter pheasant habitat in southern Wisconsin. It has been described by Buss ( 1946: 29)) who did much of his work on pheasants in the area: “At one time the marsh . . . was a shallow lake, but drainage in 1922 converted it into a marsh which now consists of optimum cover for pheasants. A spring-fed stream flows from the Madison Fish Hatchery adjoining the marsh to the center of the marsh where it joins the drainage system. Numerous springs that arise within the marsh meander to the ditches. Both the spring(s) and the ditches are densely grown to water cress (Radicula oficianale) . . . . The stream bank is grown to willows (S&r sp.) , while the ditch banks are covered with a succession of giant ragweed (Ambrosia trijida) , nettle ( Urtica gracilis) ! and some elder (Sambucus canadensis). Dredging, plowing, grazing and burning at various times and places within the marsh have caused a variety of plant successions. Part of the succession is original and ungrazed.” The principal winter roosting cover is formed by stands of Phragmites commuds on slightly elevated areas and Carex stricta in the lower spots. The uplands are under cultivation, in part; the principal crops are corn, hay and small grains. The various genetic strains of pheasant which have been interbred at the Wisconsin State Garm Farm have been discussed by Leopold and Grimmer (in Buss, 1946 : 1 S17). While it is impossible to describe with accuracy the exact mixture represented by the wild pheasants on the study area, their appearance is that of Phasianus torquatus as described by Delacour (in McAtee, 1945 : 8). Drive censuses of the study marsh were made by the staff and students of the De-