Pheasants. 127 



ready in April. Period of incubation 

 the same in the pheasant as in the com- 

 mon hen. Pheasants, Hke the pea-fowl, 

 will clear grounds of insects and reptiles, 

 but will spoil all wall-trees within their 

 reach, by pecking off every bud and leaf. 



Feeding. Strict cleanliness to be 

 observed, the meat not to be tainted with 

 dung, and the water to be pure and often 

 renewed. Ants' eggs being scarce, hog- 

 lice, ear-wigs, or any insects may be given ; 

 or artificial ants' eggs substituted, com- 

 posed of flour beaten up with an egg and 

 shell together, xhe pellets rubbed between 

 the fingers to the proper size. After the 

 first three weeks, in a scarcity of ants' 

 eggs, Castang gives a few gentles, pro- 

 cured from a good liver tied up, the gentles, 

 when ready, dropping into a pan or box of 

 bran ; to be given sparingly, and not con- 

 sidered as common food. 



Food for grown pheasants, barley or 

 wheat; generally the same as for other 

 poultry. In a cold spring hemp seed, or 

 other warming seeds are comfortable, aiid 

 will forward the breeding stock. 



