THE PREPARATION, ETC., OF FOOD. 93 



first give the old hen a chance to assist her brood ; she 

 will decorticate and break up pieces of food in the 

 most maternal and self-sacrificing manner, until they 

 become suitable to the palates and understanding of 

 her charges. Above all, avoid the use of any husks in 

 the food. I am surprised to find the maker of a well- 

 advertised gape cure advocating the use of " sharpes " 

 z>., bran in a recipe for food for young pheasants. 



Remember always that the wet caused by a shower 

 of rain does not so very much matter, the little birds 

 can always skip into their coop and avoid the evil 

 effects of that, but that the early and late dews must 

 be guarded against, if not entirely, yet to a certain 

 extent. 



By way of suiting all parties, and to provide for the 

 more exigeant tastes of those who may consider my 

 prescriptions too simple, I think it but right to append 

 the extended menu laid down for the beatification of 

 young pheasant poults in " Practical Game Preserv- 

 ing," although, as the course includes several "husky" 

 materials as well as " bruised hemp," I must not be 

 quoted as its godfather. 



This particular diet, says Mr Carnegie, is not to be 

 of necessity followed exactly. Circumstances may 

 not permit of it, but, as an example of a course of 

 feeding, it is a good one. 



And upon the whole I agree with him ; but here at 

 Rhiwlas, as was before remarked, we rear too many 

 pheasants to be able to pander too much to their appe- 



