40 PRACTICAL PHEASANT REARING. 



couple of coats of paint, grey for choice, will add 

 vastly to the durability of the article. 



The coops used for the early birds should have 

 runs attached in which the young birds can be 

 confined for half a day, when just put out into the 

 field, in order that they may get to know thoroughly 

 well their own particular coop, and the cry of their 

 mother. These runs, or little wooden yards, can be 

 made of any rough unplaned stuff, and need not add 

 much to the cost of rearing, already quite enough ; 

 they should be nin. deep, and 3ft. long, to project 

 from the front of the coops, so that the young birds 

 can run in and out between the bars, take the air in 

 front, or hastily rush to maternal protection should a 

 hawk, boy, or other unwelcome visitor put in an 

 appearance. If these runs are made of three loose 

 pieces of wood, connected at each of the front 

 corners by a couple of brass hooks and eyes, and at 

 each side of the coop by a similar fastening, they will 

 be much more portable, folding up into three plain 

 pieces of deal ; and a large number of them can be 

 conveyed in a cart to the field, and then easily carried 

 about, and set up to the coops. 



Next to pheasant foods, there are probably more 

 vagaries in coops than in almost any of the tempting 

 baits which are spread before the eyes of the sporting 

 victim. As I write, there are lying around me 

 pictures and advertisements of these temporary hen- 

 roosts in every conceivable variety and price, some 



