catgate Posted April 18, 2006 Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 I have been puzzled for some years about the increasing number of phlat pheasant lying about on the roads of our septic isle. I, like many others, thought that it was due to more cars on the road and more speeding, inconsiderate drivers. But having observed these creatures, before thay become phlat, I became convinced that this is only a very small part of the story. Around this part of Yorkshire we are almost knee deep in pheasants. There are a goodly number of avid "sportsmen" who provide for the welfare of these birds by providing ground cover and food (clumps of sunflowers etc grown in the middle of a field of other crops and left to stand over winter as feed etc) They also introduce birds from other areas. The odd thing about virtually all pheasants encountered on the road is that they do not take fright and fly off as other birds do. If they start crossing the road as a car approaches they seldom turn round and retreat into the hedgeside. They continue to cross unhurriedly but with their head held slightly lower. Occasionally they decide to go back after getting partway across and this is often when they become phlat. Now, if we go back to the "sport" of shooting these birds, we come upon the idea that it is "unsporting" to shoot a running bird, it has to be flying to be "fair game". And this is the problem. Mr. Darwin concluded that behavioural genes were transmitted down the family line. Faced with danger a pheasant can either fly away or run away. On "Shooting days", those who choose to fly away when the beaters come up behind them, get shot, whilst those that run away survive. So what is happening is that the "run away" gene survives and the "fly away" gene is gradually being lost. So most birds on the roads do not fly away, which is by far the fastest and safesty way, but simply walk away with head held low hoping not to be seen. Silly birds. Sad birds. Funny sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 I have all too frequently come across this behaviour myself, particularly around quiet roads in Shropshire. Maybe Shropshire birds are even more silly than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 They are actually known as the suicide birds in some places - man in Worcester told us......... :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 We keep seeing phlat phoxes in our area in additon to phlat pheasants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 We keep seeing phlat phoxes in our area in additon to phlat pheasants.I remember when some women used to wear those round their necks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 We see phlat badgers and deer as well. (allot of badgers at the moment) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 We see phlat badgers and deer as well. (allot of badgers at the moment)Women couldn't wear those around their necks. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 I remember driving around Texas and seeing and smelling loads of phlat skunks and other critters. In fact the tourist board produced a leaflet enabling you to identify (if you could) the various critters phlatted.Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 I 'phlattened' a coyote the other day..I've also seen phlat cats, skunks, beavers, and other rodent like creatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Ideal place for you foodiesPhlat here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4may Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Ideal place for you foodiesPhlat hereUgh !! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Ideal place for you foodiesPhlat hereWonderful :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Ideal place for you foodiesPhlat hereYUK!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 hello Ugh and YUK - do you not have an interest in saving the planet. I bet you are happy to pop into your local supermarket and buy meat - meat which has been reared and killed specifically to satisfy your carnivorous lust.Eating road kill is a healthy and considerate means of reducing the number of poor innocent lambs, piggies and moo moos that are slaughtered to satisfy your needs. A phlat fox, hedgehog, cat, dog or whatever is a wasted source of protein if not made use of. The Road Kill Cafe is doing the planet a service and you should take your part in the noble endeavour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 hello Ugh and YUK - do you not have an interest in saving the planet. I bet you are happy to pop into your local supermarket and buy meat - meat which has been reared and killed specifically to satisfy your carnivorous lust.Eating road kill is a healthy and considerate means of reducing the number of poor innocent lambs, piggies and moo moos that are slaughtered to satisfy your needs. A phlat fox, hedgehog, cat, dog or whatever is a wasted source of protein if not made use of. The Road Kill Cafe is doing the planet a service and you should take your part in the noble endeavour.I suspect you may get politically correct replies to this, saying that it is depriving natures scavengers of what is rightfull theirs. (please ...no comments about any of our politicians) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 hello Ugh and YUK - do you not have an interest in saving the planet. I bet you are happy to pop into your local supermarket and buy meat - meat which has been reared and killed specifically to satisfy your carnivorous lust.Eating road kill is a healthy and considerate means of reducing the number of poor innocent lambs, piggies and moo moos that are slaughtered to satisfy your needs. A phlat fox, hedgehog, cat, dog or whatever is a wasted source of protein if not made use of. The Road Kill Cafe is doing the planet a service and you should take your part in the noble endeavour.Gypsies eat hedgehogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4may Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 hello Ugh and YUK - do you not have an interest in saving the planet. I bet you are happy to pop into your local supermarket and buy meat - meat which has been reared and killed specifically to satisfy your carnivorous lust.Eating road kill is a healthy and considerate means of reducing the number of poor innocent lambs, piggies and moo moos that are slaughtered to satisfy your needs. A phlat fox, hedgehog, cat, dog or whatever is a wasted source of protein if not made use of. The Road Kill Cafe is doing the planet a service and you should take your part in the noble endeavour.I would not fancy a lot of the things on that menu and I NEVER buy meat from a supermarket. But I would eat a phlat pheasent, partridge or deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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