338 APPENDIX. 



ridges are so little apart, that the chicks can insert no more than 

 their heads into the furrows. As cleanliness must in all things 

 be preserved, the coops are shifted a few feet aside twice a day. 



The chicks soon quit the hens to roost in the shrubs, which afford 

 welcome shade during the mid-day heat ; but the imprisoned 

 matrons are still useful, as their plaintive call prevents the chicks 

 from becoming irreclaimable truants. As they have always the 

 opportunity of running in the grass and copse, where they find seeds 

 ana insects, they quickly become independent, and learn to forage 

 for themselves, yet when fully grown up they are not so likely to 

 stray away as birds who have been more naturally reared, and who 

 have been made wanderers even in their infancy. This is a great 

 advantage. 



That the chicks may come upon fresh ground for seeds and insects, 

 the situation of the coops may be occasionally changed. If liable to 

 be attacked by vermin at night, a board can be fixed in front of each 

 coop. 



Partridges may be reared by the same means. But instances are 

 rare of their laying while in a state of captivity. 



That the young birds may be able to rid their bodies of vermin, 

 they should be provided with small heaps of sand protected from 

 rain, and dry earth, in which they will gladly rub themselves. 



If you design rearing pheasants annually, always keep a few of the 

 tame hens and a cock at home. By judicious management these will 

 supply a large quantity of eggs for hatching, eggs that you can 

 ensure, when in their freshest state, being placed under barn-door 

 hens. Keep the eggs in a cool place. I cannot believe that you 

 will ever be guilty for it is guilt, great guilt of the sin of purchasing 

 eggs. "Buyers make thieves," and one sneaking, watching, un- 

 winged pilferer on two legs would do more mischief in the month of 

 May than dozens of magpies or hooded crows. 



Pheasants so soon hunt for their own subsistence, that they are 

 brought to maturity at less expense than common fowls. 



Since the publication of the second edition, I have had an oppor- 

 tunity of talking to Mr. Cantelo, the clever inventor of the novel 

 hatching machine, whereby (following nature's principle) heat is 

 imparted only to the upper surface of eggs. He annually rears 

 a large quantity of all kinds of poultry, besides partridges and 

 pheasants, and I believe no one in England is so experienced in these 

 matters. 



He found it best not to give food to any kind of chicks for the 

 two first days after they were hatched. As they would not all break 

 the shell together, it is probable that in a state of nature many of 

 them would be for, at least, this period under the hen before she 

 led them forth to feed. To young turkeys and pheasants he gave 

 no food for three days. They would then eat almost anything 

 voraciously, whereas, when fed sooner, they become dainty and 

 fastidious. 



He recommends that the lean of raw beef, or any meat (minced 

 fine, as if for sausages) be given to partridge or pheasant chicks, 



