CHAPTER XXII 



Management of Pheasants in Aviaries and Penning 



THE Birds 



The number of hen birds allotted to each cock ranges from 

 five to eight, and many keepers believe that five hens to 

 each cock is the orthodox number, but it may be accepted 

 that the number first named is about right. Although a 

 monogamous bird, the Pheasant has, by semi-domestication, 

 become polygamous, but he is not capable of keeping more 

 than six or eight wives busy throughout the season, in other 

 words, of rendering the loves of his harem prolific. 



The catching up of the birds, prior to their confinement 

 in the aviary, is always a matter of considerable concern to 

 the keeper who has a real interest in the well-being of 

 his birds. Various devices are employed for such purposes, 

 some of a rude and simple construction, others more 

 elaborate in design. 



It does not make much difference what sort of trap is 

 employed, provided that it can be relied upon to do its 

 duty efficaciously, with a minimum amount of injury to the 

 birds entrapped. If birds are allowed to knock themselves 

 about in the traps, it will be a long time before they will 

 settle down properly, and this is one reason why a proportion, 

 though in the minority, take their aviary Pheasants directly 

 from the rearing-field. The question is, is this a commend- 

 able practice or is it not, and the author has not the 

 slightest hesitation in condemning the custom, as it is the 

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