PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



satisfactory results, but he admits that there are many advan- 

 tages to be gained in connection with the penned birds un- 

 obtainable in the wild condition. Again Phuler seems to 

 make a distinction between the ordinary Pheasants of coverts 

 and what may for convenience be designated " outlaw " 

 Pheasants. It would, however, be quite impossible in the 

 preservation of game, as it stands to-day, to place much 

 reliance upon the rearing of birds of the lawless type last 

 referred to. 



With few exceptions the hen Pheasant makes her nest on 

 the ground, and as these are very often cleverly concealed, it is 

 impossible for keepers to discover them, though in searching 

 for eggs it is surprising how skilful the observant keeper 

 becomes in the detection of Pheasants' nests. Sometimes 

 several hens will nest in close proximity, and when they do 

 so, a considerable number of eggs may be collected in this 

 manner. Those eggs which are first laid in the nest will, if 

 removed, be replaced by a second lot, and many keepers allow 

 the second batch of eggs to be hatched by the hen Pheasant. 

 This is not at all a bad practice, as it combines what may be 

 termed natural with artificial game-raising, the advantages of 

 which in certain localities are at once obvious ; whereas where 

 vermin are troublesome, or the eggs are likely to be detected 

 by labourers and others, it is disadvantageous. 



In searching for Pheasants' eggs it is necessary to be very 

 cautious not to disturb the hen but allow her to vacate her 

 nest at her own free will. Nests can often be located by 

 watching for the birds feeding in the morning and evening, 

 and their subsequent movements. A practice adopted by 

 many keepers is to find the nests with a pointer or setter. 

 No matter how carefully nests may be searched for there is 

 bound to be a certain number that remain undiscovered, and 

 it is just as well that it should be so, as this materially helps 



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