252 PHEASANTS 



Now there can be no doubt that the 

 evil really exists, and is rapidly on the 

 increase. The higher preservation of game 

 is, after all, but an affair of yesterday in 

 this country, and its effects are only now 

 becoming apparent. 



The simple rule seems to be this : to 

 a certain extent you can regulate the 

 balance of nature to serve your own ends. 

 But the limit of impunity is soon reached; 

 and if you intend thoroughly to upset 

 that nice adjustment of incalculable ex- 

 perience, you must foresee the results and 

 make good your disturbance, or await 

 an exposition of the inexorable laws of 

 supply and demand. In this case the 

 trouble lies in the fact that no ground will 

 carry more than a fixed head of winged 

 game, be they pheasants or partridges, 

 without deterioration. 



Insect life — so essential to the welfare 

 of all young game-birds, supplying the 

 proteid without which they cannot thrive 

 — although fertile beyond belief, can 

 eventually be brought very low by long 



