iv. PHEASAXT REARIXG (PART III} 67 



injury at the sight of anything that appears to it 

 unusual, as a pheasant. 



A regular hour for feeding is also an important 

 matter ; the birds quickly learn the meal times you 

 have arranged for them, and, if they receive their 

 food u-hcn they expect it, they will all the sooner be- 

 come tame. 



Pheasants in a wild state pick up a large amount 

 of animal food in the form of worms, grubs, and 

 insects, to keep them in good health ; and as they 

 constantly swallow grit, gravel, &c.,to assist digestion, 

 and to form the shell of their eggs, we have to con- 

 sider these requisites in our aviary. 



To supply their wants in this respect, nothing is 

 so suitable as crushed bones, oyster shells, and small 

 gravel. Such items are easily obtained the bones 

 and shells being readily hammered to pieces at home, 

 or the former may be purchased ready smashed, to 

 save time. 



Scatter the bone and shell before your pheasants 

 twice a week about a handful to every half-dozen ; 

 being careful not to throw it in the form of dust, or 

 in pieces large enough to choke the birds. 



The gravel should be finely screened, and half a 

 stable bucketful scattered over each pen once a week. 

 Gravel from the seashore, full of tiny shells, is a great 

 attraction to pheasants in pens, and most excellent 

 for them in every way. It is not difficult to obtain. 



F 2 



