Pheasants Breeding and Rearing. 13 



the pheasants' natural food, we should have a smaller per- 

 centage of losses and a healthier class of pen birds. 



The food of pheasants in captivity should consist primarily 

 of certain dry foods and green foods. Of the former, the 

 most valuable are maize, barley, wheat, dari and beans, 

 while oats, buckwheat, malt, peas and rice may be regarded 

 as of but secondary worth. Maize is certainly the most 

 largely used, and the best, and barley and beans next in 

 point of value. Out of the list given individual preservers 

 can select such as may be most easily commanded, and 

 determine upon a certain defined course of food for their 

 birds. We are no advocates of a general mixture of dry 

 foods, and although attesting the desirability of regular 

 changes, consider that one or two of the above given for, 

 say, a week or fornight at a time, are most desirable. 

 While mentioning dry foods we must not overlook the 

 merits of those many prepared and patented by well-known 

 firms, and the "Game Meal" and "Crissel" of Spratts 

 Patent stand in the foremost rank for their respective 

 qualifications; the former as a staple, the other as a 

 substitute for insectile food. 



It is in the green and soft vegetable food that preservers 

 mostly err, and that through stint. Even in the pens of the 

 largest size, the green food which grows within their limits 

 becomes objectionable to the pheasants, while in enclosures 

 of small size it is not only unacceptable but deleterious. 

 Consequently the necessity of giving greater attention to 

 this neglected item is very important. Of green foods the 

 most suited are lettuce, cabbage, turnip leaves, and of these 

 there should always be a plentiful supply. Every estate 



