66 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



Feed the pheasants in the pens four times a day, 

 at early morning, noon, afternoon, and evening, 

 giving them at each meal just what they will eat and 

 no more, as you sprinkle a little at a time before them. 

 This is much preferable to throwing down an over 

 supply of food and trusting to the birds finishing it 

 on the next occasion they are hungry ; as their food 

 ought to be fresh and crisp, and not stale from ex- 

 posure to the sun, or soaked from contact with damp 

 ground. The birds should pick up every grain you 

 toss them ; and you will find that four light feeds a 

 day will keep them in better order and tame them 

 quicker than two abundant ones. You will soon dis- 

 cover the proper allowance ; about as much as a half- 

 pint glass tumbler will hold, to six birds, is not far 

 out for one feed. 



Take pains to make your birds know you, if they 

 are wild. Feed sparingly at first, tempting them to 

 eat with a little dari or hemp seed ; hunger conquers 

 timidity even in pheasants. Whistle softly to the 

 birds as you approach the pens with their food, and 

 also whilst they are eating it. 



When feeding or collecting eggs, always do so in 

 the same dress or rather do not wear a light coat 

 and hat one day, and dark ones the next ; even a 

 white linen jacket or a large straw hat will, if always 

 worn on entering the pens, be evidence to the birds 

 you are their friend. There is no creature so pro- 

 vekingly ready to fall into fits of alarm, and incur 



