CHAPTER IX. 



THE DISEASES OF PHEASANTS. 



|: HEASANTS in a state of nature are particularly 

 hardy. Being bred, as they generally are, from 

 strong healthy parents, the few weakly chickens 

 that are produced die under that benevolent arrange- 

 ment which has been so justly termed the survival of 

 the fittest in the struggle for life. Consequently the 

 most vigorous remain as brood stock, and propagate a 

 healthy offspring. Nevertheless, in some seasons, particularly 

 during those that are wet, the young birds are affected by 

 certain epidemic diseases that are difficult either to prevent 

 or cure; amongst the first of these may be mentioned cold 

 or catarrh, which is generally caused by an undue amount 

 of wet weather acting on birds enfeebled by two close 

 inter-breeding, or by errors in the dietary and general 

 management, such as undue exposure to cold winds. All 

 that can be recommended in case of the young birds being 

 thus afflicted is warm, dry shelter, and the addition of a little 

 stimulating food, as bread soaked in ale, and spiced with 

 any ordinary condiment, such as cayenne or common pepper, 

 and the moistening of the oatmeal, or other soft food, with 

 a solution of a quarter of an ounce of sulphate of iron in a 

 quart of water, using enough to give the meal an inky taste. 



Roup is produced bv a small micro-organism known as 

 a protozoon ; formerly it was always considered to be the 

 result of a neglected cold, but it is now recognised as a 

 highly infectious disease caused by a specific parasite. The 



