380 THE GAME PRESERVER'S GUIDE. 



bird shows symptoms of oppression, by increased gasping and 

 struggling to escape. If it seems quite overpowered, shut 

 either entirely or partially the valve c, by loosing the cord 

 at/, when the vapour escapes into the outer air through the 

 valve d, and the bird soon recovers. The turpentine pro- 

 duces a good deal of irritation in the throat, with a tendency 

 to cough, which, aided by its iritating effect upon the worm, 

 generally causes the latter to be discharged, and the pheasant 

 is cured. Tobacco smoke is used in the same way, but is 

 not so certain a cure as turpentine. This disease may 

 generally be prevented by using boiled water for the drink 

 and food of the pheasants, and by taking care that they have 

 no access to stagnant pools. 



The cramp is caused by cold and wet, and may be avoided 

 if the young birds are kept dry until they are quite strong. 

 Strangely enough, the dew on the grass never seems to pro- 

 duce it, and on the other hand is highly beneficial. When 

 cramp occurs, the legs should be put in warm flannel, and a 

 pill containing a quarter of a drop of creasote administered. 



TURNING OUT. 



If pJieasants are to be turned out, a pen should be made 

 for them in the middle of the covert where they are wished 

 to remain, and here they should be confined by a net over it 

 for a few days. Then removing the net at night, they will 

 quietly fly out without being frightened next day, and will 

 not be likely to leave that particular covert. They should 

 be fed in or near the pen regularly. Partridges are best 

 treated in the same way, putting their pen in the corner of a 

 quiet field, or in any situation where they are riot likely to 

 be disturbed. Pheasants that are intended to be turned out 

 should be early encouraged to roost in trees ; and if they can 

 be reared close to the covert they are to stock, so much the 

 better. Wild birds must not be penned in the above mode. 



REARING GAME IN A WILD STATE. 



To rear a good head of game requires only a moderate 

 stock for breeding to begin with ; but in addition to this, 

 they must be kept undisturbed by vermin, men, or clogs. 



