CHAPTER II. PHEASANTS. 



INTRODUCTION BREEDING AND REARING 



THOSE who are about to introduce or commence 

 preserving pheasants on an estate where hitherto 

 there have been no birds, or at least extremely few, rarely 

 decide upon so doing without having beforehand a suitable 

 locality. In truth it is the apparent suitability of the 

 estate that usually gives rise to the desire to raise a stock 

 of pheasants on it. Hence there is little need of a 

 lengthy description of the qualities proper to a pheasant 

 preserve. 



The progress of agriculture of late years has tended 

 steadily to lessen the area of covert everywhere, and those, 

 therefore, who do not desire the total elimination of woods 

 and coppices have sought to counteract the effect of the 

 land hunger of agriculturists by planting various tracts. 

 There are very few districts throughout the country un- 

 marked by suitable sites for pheasant preserves, the only 

 requisites being an equal amount, if not a preponderance of 

 woodland coppice and other coverts over arable and grass- 

 land. 



