John Shaffer, age 9, of New Hartford, N.Y., for his question:

WHERE DO PHEASANTS BUILD THEIR NESTS?

The handsome pheasant is related to the barnyard chicken. He, too, makes a living by scratching to find food in the dirt. He often roosts at night in the trees, and though he is a very strong flier he never flies very far. This beautiful bird feels more comfortable on the ground, where he can hide among the low growing greenery.

When time comes to build the nest, Mrs. Pheasant scrapes a hollow in the ground and lines it with leaves and grasses. In April she lays her olive brown eggs, maybe only eight or as many as 15.  For about three weeks she sits on the eggs to keep them warm, though sometimes the male bird takes a turn while she goes off to feed. Both parents guard the fluffy brown chicks. Soon the chicks learn how to hide and in two weeks they are strong enough to fly.