in. PHEASANT REARING (PART II) 49 



As long as the materials of your aviary last in repair (which 

 should be at least ten years), you obtain 600 eggs per season for 10i., 

 which sum will easily cover the cost of the food used, and the expense 

 incurred by removing the pens to fresh ground every year ; even in 

 such case you obtain your eggs at 4d. each. 



If it is not necessary to move the aviary annually to new ground, 

 but only at alternate seasons, the cost of the eggs will be but 3d. 

 apiece, instead of tenpecne to one shilling, their usual price if you 

 purchase them. 



THE CHOICE OF A SITUATION FOR THE AVIARY 



h. great deal depends upon tins. The best situation 

 is one facing the south or south-west, so as to obtain 

 all the sun and warmth possible, and with a close belt 

 of trees (some yards back to escape their drip) on 

 the north and east sides, to form a screen against 

 the cold winds of those quarters. 



The soil should be light and porous ; it will then 

 absorb the refuse of the birds, and will soon dry after 

 rain. The land should slope to give it a natural 

 drainage ; towards the south or south- west is the best 

 aspect. 



If the soil is clay the land will have to be 

 exhaustively drained before the aviary is built, and 

 these drains will need to run off standing water freely 

 at all times. If your ground is really cold, sticky clay, 

 an aviary is Im^-less, as in such case, do what you may, 

 you will suffer continual bad luck in the number and 

 quality of the eggs laid in the pens. 



If you cannot avoid clay to some extent, remove 

 tlie turf beforehand inside the pens, and replace it 



II 3 



