THE REARED PHEASANT 227 



a large aviary, constructed to hold a 

 hundred hens and more, some prefer 

 smaller fixed pens to hold twenty or 

 thirty, while others — among whom it is 

 interesting to note that most of the game- 

 farmers are to be found — rely exclusively 

 on the small easily movable pens, each 

 containing one cock with whatever the 

 individual considers the right proportion 

 of hens, a number varying from five to 

 eight. 



While this is about the figure adapted 

 to the capabilities of the ordinary cock, 

 surprising instances of powers beyond the 

 ordinary occur from time to time. Some 

 three years ago, on a neighbouring estate, 

 three cocks were penned with twenty-one 

 hens. By the next morning two of the 

 cocks had been vanquished and slain by 

 the sole survivor ; two fresh cocks, intro- 

 duced to restore the balance, only survived 

 a single day before sharing the same fate. 

 The keeper, recognizing the presence of 

 uncommon vigour, then left the warrior 

 in undisturbed possession of his many 



