CHATS ABOUT PHEASANTS. 389 



likely you are to lose them. I know that a 

 keeper has a great many contingencies to 

 provide for ; but, at the same time, he must 

 be guided, not only by his knowledge in a 

 general way, but also by the particular position 

 in which he finds himself placed. There are 

 many localities in the United Kingdom where 

 it may be necessary to use bare spots, as I 

 have described, for feeding and mustering 

 grounds ; but, as regards most parts of the 

 country, I should advise keepers to pay 

 attention to what I have written, my remarks 

 being the outcome of sixty years' experience. 



Before putting in your nests for pheasants* 

 eggs, you should sprinkle a little of Mac- 

 dougalPs or Calvert's disinfecting powder 

 upon them, in order to destroy vermin, and 

 keep your hens healthy. If your hen is 

 unhealthy when sitting on the eggs, the brood 

 she hatches will sure to be unhealthy also. 

 I have often been asked by a keeper to come 

 and look at his hens, who would not sit on the 

 eggs, but stood up away from them. " Don't 

 you know the cause of that ?" I would say. 



