THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 57 



keeper, in breeding and feeding pheasants, of which there 

 were, at that time, but few on Mr. Raby's estates, or, 

 indeed, on any other in the county. Now, Perren was 

 clever in this branch of his calling ; and a few of his 

 maxims were so well worthy of imitation, that his young 

 master cherished them through life. Amongst them were 

 the following : 



" In a young breeding-stock, never leave more than one 

 cock to seven hens, or as near to that proportion as you 

 can. 



" When the hen pheasant is laying, or sitting, hang a 

 bit of red cloth, or a few links of iron chain, near her nest, 

 and no fox will molest her. 



" Have a few patches of buck- wheat sown on the borders 

 of covers intended as pheasant preserves. They operate 

 like the salt-box in the dovecot, in attaching the birds to 

 the spot. 



" When you feed in the winter, beam are the most econo- 

 mical food, because the small birds cannot eat them, as 

 they do the lesser grain. The small tick-bean is the best. 



" The most dangerous time for pheasants, from the 

 attacks of vermin, such as foxes, &c., is after a wet night in 

 the moulting season. They are then naturally weak, and 

 their wings being heavy from rain, they do not rise so 

 quickly as at other times. They should now be watched. 



" When rearing pheasants by hand, observe the following 

 rules : During the first month, feed with hard egg and 

 ants' eggs, but give nothing to drink. Feed early, but 

 don't let the young birds go abroad until the dew has 

 quite disappeared. Keep them very clean, and shut them 

 up at sunset. 



" Second month : Feed on wheat, barley, and ants' 

 eggs. Being now subject to vermin, let them be supplied 

 with sand to roll in ; and if the pip seizes them, rub their 

 bills with garlic, finely bruised, in tar. 



" Third month : When the new tail-feathers appear, 

 danger is always at hand. Give them plenty of ants' eggs, 

 and put them out, by day, on a white clover field, but not 

 exposed to sun. You may give them white clover-seed, 

 mixed with other grain." 



Our hero being observed, on one of the subsequent 

 evenings, by Mr. Egerton, in earnest conversation with his 

 father, in the drawing-room, was thus addressed by him : 

 " What is in the wind, now, Francis ? I perceive you 



