26 . Aviary Pheasants. 



(Fig. 7) ; I have used them for some years, and have 

 even put two partridges' or quails' eggs in one, and 

 saved the two. They are little brass " egg-shells," 

 rather larger than the eggs, and are made in two sizes, 

 to take fowls' or pheasants' eggs. When you cannot 

 get the bird to come out, you may, with a straw bent 

 at an angle, enlarge the hole, or slightly crack the shell 

 in a line with the first opening. All this requires the 

 greatest care, or you will make the chick bleed, and then 

 the hopes of saving it are but slight. When the chicks 



FIG. 7. CHRISTY'S EGG-PROTECTOR. 



are out, they should be left undisturbed for twelve 

 hours ; they get dry and strong, and do not require 

 food. You may place a little food close to the hen if 

 you find any of the chicks disposed to run out, and she 

 will teach them to eat. Take care they do not stray, 

 as they do not yet know her call. Undoubtedly, the 

 less the hens are disturbed the better, and perhaps 

 we lose more than we save by disturbing them and 

 rendering them restless; much depends on the tem- 

 perament of the hen. 



