OPEN PHEASANTRY. 95 



almost destroyed by a severe storm, induced me 

 in the following spring to try an experiment 

 which was attended with unexpected results. 



All my pheasants having escaped on the night 

 of the accident, I was obliged to commence ope- 

 rations de novo, and, to avoid the expense of 

 netting, I pinioned fifteen tame-bred poults, 

 eleven hens and four cocks, with which the 

 kindness of a neighbouring friend supplied me, 

 and turned them all into the enclosure. The 

 operation of pinioning consists in amputating the 

 forehand or pinion of one wing at the carpal 

 joint. The bird is never able afterwards to 

 ascend in flight more than two or three feet from 

 the ground, and therefore escape from an enclo- 

 sure such as I have described would be impos- 

 sible.* The wounds soon healed, the birds en- 

 joyed excellent health through the winter, and in 

 the following March, when the males began to 

 exhibit the usual symptoms of pugnacity, I was 

 preparing to locate them in their respective com- 

 partments for the season, when I was unexpec- 

 tedly obliged to leave home, and directed that the 

 pheasantry should remain in statu quo during my 

 absence. On my return, how changed was the 

 state of affairs ! Love and war had been running 



* Birds thus pinioned are of course unfit for subsequent 

 liberation in the covers. 



