558 MODERN FARRIER. 



When at liberty, the pheasant hatches and rears 

 her brood with patience, vigilance, and courage; 

 but, when tame, she never sits well, and frequently 

 will not sit at all, so that a domestic hen is generally 

 substituted on such occasions ; nor, when in capti- 

 vity, does she seem to be conscious of the necessity 

 of leading her young to their food, and the brood 

 will quickly perish if left solely to her protection. 

 A spirit of independence seems to attend this bird, 

 which, if left at large, is remarkable for its fecundity. 

 Thouo-h taken from its native warm retreat, where 

 the woods supply a variety of food, and the genial 

 sun suits its tender constitution, this bird has 

 evinced an extraordinary attachment to native free- 

 dom ; and, as if disdaining the protection of man, 

 has left him to take shelter in the remotest forests, 

 and to feed on the scanty produce of a chilling cli- 

 mate. By the owners of parks and manors, great 

 pains are taken for the preservation of this beautiful 

 bird ; but notwithstanding every precaution, it will 

 frequently stray from preserved covers — never to 

 return. 



In pheasant-shooting, the sportsman should be 

 properly equipped for a cover. Strong woollen 

 cloth gaiters are thought preferable to leather, as in 

 wet weather the latter is very uncomfortable, and 

 the former is a sufficient guard against briars. 



If the niglit previous to the sport be wet, the 

 droppings of the trees will compel the pheasants to 

 quit the woods ; and, in this case, the hedge-rows 

 and furze-covers should be diligently tried, as good 

 diversion may be obtained. This bird is much at- 

 tached to almost all sorts of covers, and especially to 

 the sides of the pit where alder-trees are growing. 



The setter is the best dog for this sport ; but the 

 use of bells is ridiculous, for as little noise as possi- 

 ble should be made. Pointers are frequently too 

 tender to follow this bird through the brambles, 

 which is not the case with a good setter. In hunt- 



