158 PHEASANTS FOR COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



On the other hand, Dr. H. Hammond Smith, when making 

 his collection of grits from the gizzards of game birds, 

 frequently found pellets of shot in the gizzard ; the greatest 

 number he mentions is three found in a blackcock's gizzard. 

 This bird was in good health and did not seem to have been 

 suffering in any way. A shot was also seen in the gizzard 

 of a ptarmigan shot on Ben More in Sutherlandshire. But 

 it must be remembered that in recent years the shot more 

 commonly used is chilled shot, not the old-fashioned pellets, 

 made from soft lead,, which would be much more easily acted 

 upon by the juices and contents of the gizzard. 



One of the essentials to health in pheasants is an adequate 

 supply of suitable grit; and it should be remembered that 

 this is necessary at the earliest stages of their existence. If 

 deprived of this a bird will soon deteriorate in condition 

 owing to the gizzard being unable to perform its function. 

 The aviaries should be well furnished with this material, 

 preferably in the form of white quartz or granite finely 

 broken. In coverts where the natural supply is exhausted or 

 not abundant a quantity of this grit may with advantage be 

 distributed. 



