Thk Gamk Birds. 113 



When I was experimenting with Partridges, with a view 

 of getting them to la\' in pens (for sporting purposes) on a system 

 elaborated on a shooting in Central France, I found that one 

 feature was that tlie pens should be circular, with no angle, and 

 with the bushes or other cover in the centre and open space all 

 round. This tended to check this habit of restlessly running up 

 and down, turning always at the same spot, a very important 

 point if the captive be a long-tailed pheasant, who often treads 

 upon his own tail as he turns at a right-angled corner. 



If I were ever to keep pheasants in aviaries or small pens 

 I should certainly make the fence of the runs, where the birds 

 chiefly take their exercise, round, or half-moon shape. Their 

 plumage would certainly last much better, and the extra trouble 

 involved would be well repaid, especially where the soil was 

 strong. 



But to keep some game-birds in health, not only is a 

 light soil desirable, but ample space is absolutely essential. 

 Capercaillies, for instance, and to a lesser degree, Blackgame, 

 must have abundance of room. They want plenty of clean 

 ground to range over, with dense cover at hand to which they 

 can retire, so as to feel absolutely safe. 



I think an adult wild-caught Capercaillie is about the most 

 difficult subject to deal with that I have encountered. He will 

 not stand close confinement at all, and must as soon as possible 

 be enlarged. The difficulty then is to prevent his being starved 

 in the midst of plentj', for it is of no use to put food down where 

 he dare not venture to get it. Hand-reared Capercaillies are 

 seldom to be had, and it may be taken for granted that a wild- 

 caught bird will not for a considerable time ever leave the thick 

 cover, of which there must be plenty, for m^ny yards. 



The grain (oats, peas, wheat, barley and a little maize) 

 must be thrown down with the grit along the outside of the 

 bushes, the pine branches stuck into the ground and the water- 

 pens replenished, then the feeder should slip away and the birds 

 must be left absolutely quiet. It is of course a great thing if 

 some tame birds are already in the enclosure, as they will inspire 

 confidence in the new comer. I found it useful to fit up a 

 "hide " into which one could get, so that one could judge how 



