58 VARIETIES OF SHOOTING. 



minutely described, as they are only shot in this kind of sport 

 when they come in view while beating for pheasants. 



PHEASANT COVERTS. 



In various parts of England large coverts are planted 

 almost with the sole view of affording protection to the 

 pheasant. In Norfolk and Suffolk there are many sandy 

 districts, where the fir is the only tree which will thrive, and, 

 though rather an unprofitable one, it is planted in belts, which 

 are particularly convenient for the purposes of the battue. 

 Pheasants also are fond of roosting in these trees, partly 

 because their limbs branch off at right angles from the trunk, 

 and therefore form convenient perches, and partly because, 

 being evergreen, they afford some protection from the rain in 

 the cold winter months. Beech-woods are also favourite 

 resorts for them, but in both instances there is a difficulty 

 in getting sufficient underwood, and hence, wherever the 

 nature of the soil is suitable, oak is preferred, especially 

 as it is a timber which will pay better than fir. Ash is also 

 pretty well suited to the purposes of the pheasant covert, but 

 it has one great objection in shedding its leaves so early 

 that the poacher can see the pheasants perched on these trees 

 a month earlier than on oak or elm. An undergrowth of 

 hazel is one of the best, as it forms a thick protection to the 

 game without tearing the clothes or face of the sportsman 

 who crashes through the bushes in pursuit of his sport. In 

 any case there ought to be rides cut, and for the battue these 

 are doubly essential. There are, however, two varieties of 

 coverts which are sometimes used for this sport ; firstly, those 

 which are planted specially for pheasants, and, secondly, those 

 in which these birds are only incidental to the coverts, and 

 then the proprietor does not sacrifice his pocket to his 

 sport. 



DOGS FOR PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



It is now the fashion to drive the coverts with beaters, 

 aided by a dog or two, or in some cases by a team of steady 

 spaniels. In whatever way dogs are used, they should be 

 broken to hunt close to their masters, and for this purpose 



