140 BASKET PERCHING. 



field, orchard, pleasure-ground, or garden, or even 

 on a common, or a good green lane, under circum- 

 stances of this kind ; or by a wood side ; but then 

 it is proper for a man to keep with them under a 

 temporary hovel, and to have two or three dogs 

 chained at a proper distance, with a lamp or two at 

 night. I have known a great number of pheasants 

 bred up in this manner in the most exposed situa- 

 tions. It is proper for the man always to have a 

 gun, that he may keep off the hawks, owls, jays, 

 magpies, &c. The dogs and lamps intimidate the 

 foxes beyond any other means ; and the dogs will 

 give tongue for the man to be on his guard, if smaller 

 vermin are near, or when strollers make their ap- 

 pearance. 



The' birds going on as before mentioned, should so 

 continue till September or even December, or (if very 

 early bred) the middle of August. Before they be- 

 gin to shift the long feathers in the tail, they are to be 

 shut up in the basket with the hen regularly every 

 night; and when they begin to shift their tail the 

 birds are large and begin to lie out, that is, they are 

 not willing to come to be shut up in the basket : those 

 that are intended to be turned out wild, should be 

 taught to perch (a situation they have never been 

 used to) ; this is done by tying a string to the hen's 

 leg, and obliging her to sit in a tree all night : be 

 sure you put her in the tree before sun-set ; and if 

 she falls down you must persevere in putting her up 

 again till she is contented with her situation; then 

 the young birds will follow the hen and perch with 

 her. This being done, and the country now covered 



