TREATING OF THE PHEASANT AND ITS EGG. 9 



silliest of all game birds, who never seems to know 

 when or where he is well off, but will wander for miles 

 in search of other fields and pastures new, which, when 

 attained, do not in most instances offer the same 

 attractions in the shape of carefully varied menu, and 

 due punctuality at meal times, as he would find an he 

 would remain where he was reared. 



A great blow would be struck at night poaching 

 were the spruce fir universally adopted for game pre- 

 serves. Holly, ivy, and any other evergreens, many 

 of the new sorts of coniferae lately introduced into 

 this country being most suitable for this purpose, 

 would also in every instance prove an invaluable 

 addition. The oak, ash, beech, and other deciduous 

 trees and shrubs, should, supposing that a covert is 

 being planted for no other object than with a view to 

 keeping therein a large head of pheasants, be, on the 

 other hand, as much avoided as possible, although one 

 must admit that the presence of a few oak trees, in a 

 good acorn season, does act as a wonderful induce- 

 ment for the birds to stay at home. 



The breeding operations of the pheasant are con- 

 ducted solely on the ground, the tree being deserted 

 from early spring until autumn again arrives, when 

 the shelter of the branches at night time is sought by 

 the male bird, accompanied, although unrecognized, 

 by his late wife, and it is to be hoped, also numerous 

 offspring. 



The nest of the wild pheasant is a most uncom- 



