HIGH PHEASANTS 



at the end of these openings a post should be firmly driven 

 into the ground at each end, and forked sticks about 4 feet 

 high stuck into the ground 15 to 20 yards apart to hang 

 the cord upon. All these preparations should be made the 

 day, or several days, before the shoot. On the morning 

 of the shoot these cords should be given into the charge of 

 an active keeper and a beater. The keeper of course will 

 have had explained to him a day or two previously just 

 what is expected of him. He should go to the first beat, 

 and after tying one end of the cord to the post or tree, the 

 beater takes hold of the windlass by the handle and walks 

 on, the frame of the windlass revolving round the middle 

 stick lets the cord out, when it can be put into its place by 

 the keeper who is coming up behind. The modern frame 

 or windlass, which I use, is much handier and lighter than 

 the old-fashioned one, which was hung over the neck and 

 belted round the waist, and which made the wearer look more 

 like the well-known barrel organ than a human being. An 

 estate with two or three of these cords, and an active man 

 to work them, and providing that man, or men, goes quietly 

 about the work, does not need more, as they can be shifted 

 from the first beat to the third, and from the second to the 

 fourth, unless the beats are a long way apart. I have used 

 the sewelling for stop purposes made with wing feathers, 

 but never found it so effective as the rags. I have also 

 used netting, both made from wire and string, to try and 

 get the birds to rise, and have seen birds rise well over it 

 sometimes, and at other times merely jump over it. The 

 reason for their jumping over it was, I think, that they were 

 used to it, so much being in use on nearly every estate. 

 Sewelling is better than netting, for nets stop all ground 

 game from going forward, and although perhaps it is not 

 shot, it is all the better when seen by your employer. 



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