Note 17 — Chapter I

Howard Saunders (Illust. Manual of British Birds, 1899, p. 499) states that there is evidence that the pheasant had become naturalized in the south of England before the Norman invasion. He adds, "little, if any, deviation from the typical P. colchicus took place up to the end of last century, when the introduction of the Chinese Ring-necked P. torquatus commenced, which has left almost indelible marks, especially with regard to the characteristic white collar."