72 



Points on Care and Breeding of Pheasants, etc. 



Peacock Breeding 



The peacock 

 is well known 

 for its beauty 

 and great at- 

 traction. It is 

 extremely easy 

 to manage as 

 its wants are 

 few. Any 

 poultry food is 

 sufficient for 

 them. Our 

 ancient fore- 

 fathers, highly 

 esteemed it as 

 a delicacy. 

 After the bird 

 had been 

 dressed for 

 the table, it 



was served with the plumage attached and expanded and helped to add to the pomp and 

 splendor of the entertainment. The long plumes of the peacock are valuable for fly-hook 

 manufacturers. The peacock hen makes her nest on the ground and will lay from eight to 

 twelve eggs in April, May and June, setting well and being an attentive and careful mother. 

 The nest must not be interfered with during incubation, which lasts about twenty-eight days. 

 The young are easily raised and of very hearty constitution. They can be fed much the 

 same as young turkeys ; hard boiled eggs and stale bread crumbs, or bread soaked in milk 

 for the first two weeks is an excellent feed for them They will stand confinement well. 

 These birds are remarkable for longevity, known to be more than thirty years old. 



AUERHAHN 



Auerhahn or Capercailzies 



These birds belong to the partridge family 

 and next to sage grouse, are the largest of this 

 breed. Full grown birds will measure from 

 forty to forty-five inches in length, and weigh 

 twelve to sixteen Ibs. They inhabit ex- 



("* A PT^R C* A TT 7TT? 



treme cold regions, mostly the mountains in 



Europe, and indeed very hardy, averaging about twelve to fifteen young to a pair. 



