142 DIRECTIONS FOOD. 



weather ; and for prevention requiring similar pre- 

 caution. 



GENERAL DIRECTIONS. Not more than four 

 HENS to be allowed in the pens to one cock. And 

 in the OUT COVERS, three hens to one cock may be 

 sufficient, with the view of allowing for accidents, 

 such as the loss of a cock or hen. Never put more 

 EGGS under a hen than she can well and closely 

 cover, the eggs fresh and carefully preserved. SHORT 

 BROODS to be joined and shifted to one hen : com- 

 mon hen pheasants in close pens, and with plenty 

 of cover, will sometimes make their NESTS and hatch 

 their own eggs ; but they seldom succeed in rearing 

 their brood, being so naturally shy ; whence, should 

 this method be desired, they must be left entirely to 

 themselves, as they feel alarm even in being looked 

 at. Eggs for sitting are generally ready in April. 

 Period of INCUBATION the same in the pheasant as 

 in the common hen. Pheasants, like the pea-fowl, 

 will clear grounds of insects and reptiles, but will 

 spoil all WALL-TREES within their reach, by pecking 

 off every bud and leaf. 



Feeding. Strict CLEANLINESS to be observed, the 

 meat not to be tainted with dung, and the water to 

 be pure and often renewed. Ants' eggs being scarce, 

 hog-lice, ear-wigs, or any insect may be given ; or 

 artificial ants' eggs substituted, composed of flour 

 beaten up with an egg and shell together, the pellets 

 rubbed between the fingers to the proper size. After 

 the first three weeks, in a scarcity of ants' eggs, 

 CASTANG gives a few GENTLES, procured from a good 

 liver tied up, the gentles, when ready, dropping into a 



