The Game Birds. 121 



allies, I have little to suggest that is likely to be fresh to my 

 fellow aviculturists, as these birds are so extensively kept. The 

 true Pheasants all appear to be perfectly hardy in our climate, 

 and to my eyes they show no substantial differences of consti- 

 tution or habit from the ordinary bird of our covers. But it 

 must not be expected that they will be so prolific as the latter, 

 for no doubt the power of producing 30 — 40 or even more eggs 

 in a season is the result of semi-domestication, and of being kept 

 for generations in pens to lay and not to hatch and rear. I have 

 found Versicolo?- hens very poor layers, and pure Mongolian hens 

 often lay very scantily, if at all in their second year, but much 

 better in succeeding seasons. Keepers report favourably of the 

 Prince of Wales' Pheasant as a hardy bird to rear, and as a 

 species which leaves its impress (in plumage) upon his cross- 

 bred stock for many years. 



As to straying, I can see no difference; they all like to 

 escape from overcrowded ground. 



The Partridges usually obtainable are all easy enough to 

 keep, even the beautiful Ammoperdix of the Desert ; but the 

 young of the species from the warmer regions are, as might be 

 expected, very sensitive to damp, and all, whether adults or 

 young, should have access to dry sheds, in which they can dust 

 and shelter. I have not kept any of the Wood Partridges, and 

 expect that they require very special treatment. Peat Moss 

 litter makes an excellent floor for such sheds as it is absorbent 

 and a deodorizer. Unless the ventilation is really effective, fire- 

 heat, unless in exceptional frosty weather, is better dispensed 

 with. 



If I may offer one or two pieces of advice, I would urge 

 that it is a great mistake to keep too many birds; Overcrowding 

 leads to tainted ground and a host of trouble. Grit must never 

 be forgotten as it is absolutely essential to this class of bird. A 

 Grotise chick of forty-eight hours was found to have its gizzard 

 well provided with grit (Report of the Committee on Grouse 

 disease;. Quartz grit is the best if to be had. After the first 

 severe frost, lettuces and even cabbages are often unprocurable, 

 and, until the grass grows freely, some substitute for green food 

 is desirable for grain-fed birds. I find Mangel-Wurzel most 



