108 I'MEASAXTi^ FOB COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



From the indisposition shown by the pheasant to incubate 

 in confinement, it is necessary in all cases to have recourse 

 to the hens of the domestic fowl as foster parents. A^arious 

 opinions are offered as to the breed of fowls most suitable 

 for the purpose. There can, however, be no doubt that it 

 should be one of a moderate size, and not too prolific in egg 

 producing, as it is essential that the mother hen should keep 

 with the poults as long as possible, which she is not likely to 

 do after she commences laying. Silky fowls are strongly 

 recommended by some, and they unquestionably constitute 

 admirable mothers. M. Vekemans, of the Antwerp Zoo- 

 logical Gardens, where rare pheasants are reared more 

 successfully than in any similar establishment in Europe, 

 employs half-bred silkies ; and the late Mr. Stone, of 

 Scyborwen, fully indorsed his opinion. These half-bred 

 silkies are good sitters, admirable mothers, and keep a long 

 time with the young. The ordinary bantams sometimes 

 recommended are undoubtedly too small, not being able to 

 cover the poults when of any size. The employment of pure 

 bred game hens is strongly recommended by many breeders 

 of pheasants, as they will defend their chicks against any 

 enemies that may attack them, though their natural wildness 

 renders their management somewhat difficult at times ; any 

 small, tame, ordinary hens will answer if known as good 

 nurses, and none others should be employed. 



Hens with feathered legs are not desirable, as they are 

 very frequently afflicted with what is known as " scurfy legs," 

 a very obnoxious disease, which is caused by minute parasites 

 that breed under the scales, causing rough swellings. These 

 parasites extend to the young pheasants, and many coverts 

 are infested with scurfy-legged pheasants in consequence. 



It is the common custom to set the hens in close boxes, 

 with little or no ventilation, crowded together in sitting 

 houses. Under these conditions the nests swarm with 

 vermin, the sitting hens become irritable and break their 

 •eggs ; and when the young plieasants come out they are 



