118 PRACTICAL PHEASANT REARING. 



peck, but cannot escape, it will, I think, be found 

 quite as useful for fowls as for pheasants. 



The droppings of the hens should be taken par- 

 ticular notice of whilst they are enjoying their leisure 

 hour " at the stake," harder and more stimulating food 

 being provided for those that display premonitions of 

 dysentery. Should a dipsomaniac hen do no eating 

 at all, but only drinking, and also display aggravated 

 symptoms of the above disorder, she had better be 

 killed at once, and another substitute provided without 

 delay. A keeper cannot, just at the peculiarly valu- 

 able time of the year, when birds are coming out, be 

 expected to waste his time in doctoring a few old 

 barndoors. Should, however, the hens be only 

 slightly affected, and should he elect to attempt a 

 cure, some ground black pepper meal in their food is 

 the best remedy. 



A " catching coop," with a swing door suspended 

 by hinges from the top front, held in position by a 

 string passing over the back of the coop, and released 

 from behind by the keeper when he wishes to confine 

 his young pheasants for moving or other purposes, 

 has been brought to my notice; but the idea, which 

 at first sight appears to be ingenious, will in the 

 end, I fear, prove to be nought but a " flatcatcher," 

 for the objection to this plan appears to be that > 

 having, as will be necessary, to release your board 

 from behind the coop, and also from some distance 

 off, in order to avoid the frightening of the youngsters 



