88 PRACTICAL PHEASANT REARING. 



or a storm of wind soon upset the equilibrium, and 

 we now " make other arrangements." 



Each feeder should be provided with a double set 

 of circular tin feeders, like a moderate-sized milk pan, 

 one set to be in use, the other in scour, as the 

 slightest bit of stale food, either left in the feeding 

 tin or upon the bars of the coop, will do more 

 mischief than anyone is aware of. 



The food for the first four or five days after the egg 

 administration of the first day should consist of 

 custard, rice, and meal. The mixing of these to- 

 gether will presently be described. At the expiration 

 of this period, Spratts' crissel, or the flesh of rabbits 

 boiled and passed through the sausage machine, 

 should be added to the feed. Very little of this meat 

 diet I use the word meat advisedly, as the crissel is 

 undoubtedly composed of animal particles, and a very 

 clean and satisfactory method of supplying a flesh 

 diet it certainly is for young pheasants should be 

 given to the very young birds ; but as they grow 

 older and stronger the quantity should be increased. 

 Rabbits' flesh is also very valuable if it can be got. 

 Birds do not purge upon either this or the crissel, as 

 they will upon greaves (which I abominate), or upon 

 any other kind of flesh, except when given in almost 

 infinitesimal quantities. 



And now to describe the mixing of the food, which 

 should be done with the hand (a clean one, please), 

 upon the solid wooden table already alluded to ; 



