52 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



they will not fight to any serious extent, and the eggs 

 gathered will certainly be more numerous and fertile 

 than those laid in pens. 



The time occupied in feeding is small, and the 

 eggs can be picked up without alarming the birds, as 

 they have ample space in which to retreat. 



The wild cocks will now and then swoop down on 

 the captive ones, and though this invasion may result 

 in a pitched battle, it gives the hens interested the 

 advantage of the stronger bird as a partner. 



I do not, from experience, believe in placing a 

 number of hens in an inclosure without any cocks 

 and trusting to their being attended to by the wild 

 ones, as you then never discover, till too late 

 and your eggs are ' set,' if the hens have entertained 

 a sufficient number of visitors of the opposite sex. 



Aviaries of this description may stand without 

 removal for five years, as the ground in them does 

 not* become quickly tainted, the birds having no 

 corners to huddle up in and over soil as in small pens. 

 Such large inclosures are, however, only requisite on 

 extensive preserves ; they are then not only the most 

 satisfactory in regard to the eggs laid, but are also 

 much the least expensive, and simple in management. 



Before dismissing the subject of aviaries, I annex 

 some interesting notes thereon that were kindly given 

 me for publication by my good friend the late Colonel 



