1 8 Aviary Pheasants. 



width of the aviary, or along the north side if 

 possible ; they should be placed sloping against the 

 building, leaving, say, gin. open on the lower side, 

 the ends of strips entering the ground, thus forming 

 a good lean-to. Under this the birds are sure to lay, 

 and also to dust themselves. 



Unfortunately, the danger of the birds laying in the 

 open is that they may accidentally break their eggs ; 

 this invariably leads to egg-eating, and then all hopes 

 of breeding are at an end, for, watch as you may, 

 you are sure to lose a great many. The cock is 

 generally the culprit, and the hens soon acquire the 

 habit. There are many plans to cure this habit. Sham 

 eggs I have not found of any service; the birds know 

 them, and do not attempt to break them after the 

 first trial ; but no sooner is an egg laid than it is 

 broken. Some persons pare down the point of the 

 upper bill, so that it may be soft ; I have tried this, 

 but cannot say I have met with invariable success. 

 Others slightly touch the beak with a hot poker, so 

 as to burn the extreme point, and I really think that 

 is the best, and has proved the most successful, method. 

 Another plan is to put mustard into an egg-shell ; 

 but that is of no use whatever the birds are found 

 to eat it greedily, even with paraffin added to it. The 

 only remaining plan I know, is using the eggs of 

 common fowls, and letting the birds eat their fill. 

 Some varieties, certainly, are greater delinquents 

 than others : Reeves' are very troublesome, but Versi- 

 colors never do it. No doubt the habit is acquired, 



