BREEDING PHEASANTS. 31 ' 



ing at feeding time. They resort much to the sea-shore, 

 when within a moderate distance, being fond of salt, and 

 frequent marsh land, if there is proper cover for them. 

 Such situations are peculiarly fitted for preserves, if 

 there is a supply of wood within a moderate distance. 

 Alder, willow, and other aquatics, in springy or marshy 

 soils, is a good harbour for them. In winter they roost 

 in the middle branches of the oak. Their food, in this 

 season is hawthorn berries, insects, and reptiles, or they 

 will even feed on carrion. The dogs for shooting phea- 

 sants in woods should be the purest bred and strongest 

 formed spaniels, such as are not afraid of the thickest 

 *and most thorny covers. In extensive woodlands the 

 team of spaniels cannot be too numerous or too full of 

 tongue. Pheasants and red-legged partridges, which are 

 two or three years old, will run till they cray fairly be 

 said to be coursed or hunted by the dogmas if aware of 

 the gun should they dare to spring. 



As an important kem in this sport, a few practi^H 

 rules for breeding pheasants cannot find HBfTFer place 

 than subjoined to those for their destruction. 



BREEDING PHEASANTS. 



LET your pheasantry be well constriteted with perches, 

 hiding-places made with reeds tied round stakes put up 

 along the centre, and boxes round the sides. Your 

 stock may be five or six hens to one cock ; they will 

 drop their eggs in various places : they must be gathered 



