PHEASANTS 



CHAPTER I 



Pheasant Coverts and their Construction 



Wherever the preservation of Pheasants constitutes an 

 essential part of game-rearing, it is indispensable to provide 

 the birds with coverts best adapted to protect them against 

 not only their natural enemies, but above all, against that 

 lawless sportsman, the poacher, though many will, I have no 

 doubt, take exception and objection to the use of the title 

 " Sportsman " in connection with a man whose nocturnal 

 depredations are performed in every manner contrary to the 

 rules of sportsmanship, to say nothing as to his total disregard 

 for what may be termed the " Ethics of Sport." The single- 

 handed poacher is, as a rule, a less formidable foe to deal 

 with than a covey of poachers, the desperate actions of which 

 frequently lead to the most serious consequences. The 

 "prevention" of poaching is certainly better than its "cure" 

 by either fine or imprisonment, and had those engaged in 

 the planting of coverts during antecedent years only con- 

 sidered this matter, both lawlessness and night-watching 

 would have played very little part in connection with orame 

 preservation. 



Existing coverts, as a rule, are rather favourable to the 

 poachers' operations, more especially when the leaves begin to 



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