Pheasants

Every pheasant population has limits to its growth placed by its niche in a larger ecology. Only one large brained vertebrate seems unconstrained by the general rule. For those of us who want to know more about limits to the growth of pheasant populations, and about the life of pheasants at all seasons, Dr. Peter Robertson's "Pheasants" is a must buy. This is a brilliant book and is highly recommenedBird and wildlife lovers who are not specifically interested in pheasants should read this book, not only because, as Robertson explains, good pheasant habitat is good wildlife habitat for the whole range of small creatures of the woods and fields. This book can lead to a deeper understanding of wildlife habitat in general, and of how a habitat supports and limits the populations of wildlife species.This book is an absolute must for all pheasant habitat managers and their superiors in the state agencies. An understanding of the book's central themes could increase the reader's ability to identify the elements of good habitat, even when the vegetation is different from that described by Robertson. A careful student of the book and of local habitat might gain the skill of identifying particular habitat deficiencies which limit a local pheasant population.Following the pheasant through a year in its life cycle, Robertson discusses critical habitat requirements in elegant and convincing detail. The life and needs of the pheasant in Winter are revealed. Robertson tells us what spring territories are all about, what kind of habitat is required for a good territory, and where and how far the hens go to nest. And Robertson explains the habitat needs of chicks, that they must have an adequate diet of insects in the first weeks of their lives, and how that is a critical vulnerability.This book is absolutely up to date, breaking new ground in our understanding of pheasants. It is based on the latest research, much of it performed by Dr. Robertson and his colleagues. Dr. Peter Robertson, BSc, PhD, perhaps the world's foremost authority on pheasants, has performed much of his research as the Senior Scientist to The Game Conservancy's Pheasants and Woodlands Research Project, in Britain.