114 PHEASANTS FOR COVERTS AND AVIARIES. 



as it pleased, and to find the food for its brood as wild 

 pheasants would do. I am sure the experiment would, in 

 some people's hands prove most successful, notwithstanding 

 the use of such a big hen for the purpose." 



The disparity between the size of the turkey hen and the 

 young pheasants may appear too great to afford any hope of 

 success, but, as I have said, the plan is followed in Germany, 

 and in France turkey hens are largely employed to hatch 

 chickens, and those only who have noticed the deliberate and 

 delicate manner in which the foster parent puts down her foot 

 when tending her young will not wonder at the success of the 

 system advocated. 



