16 KEMIXISCENCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



health of the brood ; and they should be taken in before 

 sunset. 



In the second month food more substantial may be 

 given, such as eggs of the wood-ant, wheat, barley, 

 ground beans, wood-lice, earwigs, and other small 

 insects, to make a variety ; and the intervals between 

 may be gradually prolonged. About this time they are 

 apt to be annoyed with vermin. To remedy this, jjlace 

 small heaps of dry earth or fine sand near them, by 

 rolling in which they will soon rid themselves of the 

 painful itching occasioned by the vermin. Water may 

 now be given frequently, and always take care to have 

 it clean, else the pip may be contracted; which, as in 

 chickens, should be removed, and the bill rubbed with 

 bruised garlic mixed with tar. The third month is at- 

 tended with fresh diseases ; the tail-feathers then drop, 

 and others appear ; a dangerous period to the pheasant. 

 Ant eggs, given moderately, are efficacious in hastening 

 the trying moment, and diminishing its danger. The 

 young birds may now be carried with the crib where 

 they are to be dispersed ; if white clover grows in it, the 

 young pheasants will pick the seed out of the heads, 

 and it will add considerably to their vigour and strength. 

 White clover seed, given when wheat or other grain is 

 used, will prove very nourishing. They should also at 

 ■first be fed in the field with some food they are fond of, 

 but never twice in the same spot, and the quantity 

 gradually diminished ; and so by degrees they will be 

 forced to provide for themselves, and become acquainted 

 with the country. 



When they are once able to procure their subsistence, 

 they will soon become as wild as those in the woods, 

 still retaining a kind of affection for tho:o spots into 



