PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



surest method of perpetuating a stock of Pheasants con- 

 stitutionally weak, more than semi-domesticated, and very 

 liable to fall an easy prey to disease. Such a practice can- 

 not be too strongly discouraged, and if its detrimental 

 influences are not apparent in the first, second or third 

 generation of birds, it is bound to show itself sooner or 

 later. 



The gamekeeper wants birds that can fly, and the 

 sportsman wants birds that he can shoot, which neither 

 will have, if such artificialities are indulged in. 



A common form of hand-made willow trap is depicted 

 in the illustration, and it is one a good deal used by keepers. 

 Another form of catcher is shown in the woodcut. It is 

 always set, and the best plan is to scatter food about it. 

 For a few days the doors must be left open, and the birds 

 will go inside to feed through the doors. Afterwards the 

 doors should be closed, and the food put at the mouth 

 of the tunnel, through which the birds will pass, but they 

 cannot find their way out again. These traps are 2 

 feet 9 inches long, 2 feet wide, and 15 inches high. 

 Their cost, ten shillings each.* It is seldom that the birds 

 find the outlet to these cages. It is advantageous to have 

 the traps much larger than the bird, otherwise it will damage 

 itself. 



A very simple form of trap is a hole in the ground, with 

 a board to drop over, so that the captive is kept not only in 

 the dark, but also perfectly quiet. 



Never place cock birds with the hens in the laying pens 

 until the hens have had a few days to settle down. Some 

 male birds seem to take a dislike to the female, and continue 

 to annoy her, plucking feathers out of her, and this is soon 

 followed by the rest of his wives maltreating her in a similar 

 • Messrs Gilbertson & Page, Hertford, supply these traps. 

 130 



