FOOD OF YOUNG PHEASANTS. 79 



rally of very small twigs and leaves of the Scotch 

 fir. Some persons find it difficult to separate the 

 eggs from the materials of the nest. The simplest 

 mode is to place as much as may be required 

 ants, eggs, and all in a bag or light sack, the 

 mouth of which should be tied up. On reaching 

 home a large white sheet should be spread on 

 the grass, and a few green boughs placed round 

 it on the inside, over which the outer edge of 

 the sheet should be lightly turned ; this should 

 be done during sunshine. The contents of the 

 bag should then be emptied into the middle, 

 and shaken out so as to expose the eggs to 

 the light. In a moment, forgetting all consider- 

 ations of personal safety, these interesting little 

 insects set about removing their precious charge 

 the cocoons from the injurious rays of 

 the sun, and rapidly convey them under the 

 shady cover afforded by the foliage of the boughs 

 near the margin' of the sheet. In less than ten 

 minutes the work will be completed. It is only 

 necessary then to remove the branches, and the 

 eggs, or cocoons, may be collected by handfuls, 

 unencumbered with sticks, leaves, or any sort 

 of rubbish. 



Many kinds of farinaceous and vegetable food 

 have been recommended for young pheasants 

 when they are a little older, such as the green 



