PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 337 



how nicely the firs are scattered about. On that light-landed 

 bank over yonder are what the master calls Douglas firs 

 they grow quicker there than any I ever saw, and silver firs 

 are just the same, while lower down, where the ground is 

 boggy, you will notice what master says are the black spruce ; 

 they are slower growing but stand a long time. We find the 

 common spruce does not last above thirty years, and are often 

 blown down just as they begin to be large enough for the birds 

 to use. In the little covert we are coming to shortly we had 

 an experiment. The undergrowth was all raspberry canes 

 and alder poles, with giant ash trees above. Well/master 

 had most ,of the big trees cut down and the place well cleared 

 out to let the sun in, then we planted a lot of firs at intervals, 

 about three in a group, and now that place is one of the 

 favourite haunts, where ten years ago you'd hardly ever find 

 a bird. In another place we planted rhododendrons among 

 the undergrowth ; they provide good cover and the rabbits 

 won't touch them. Again, you know the ten-acre piece on 

 old Chunkey Brown's farm ? Well, that heavy land ain't 

 favourable for firs and such like, so we got some common yew 

 trees and put them in, three in a group, and they did wonders." 



" What are those strips dug for ? " 



" Oh ! you see we plant sunflowers, brank, garden peas, 

 and such like, because then the birds have attractions and 

 stay at home. By-the-bye, they are very fond of peas, and 

 we always give them the best of everything. Then you see 

 we tie up bunches of barley and hang them on the bushes, so 

 the birds must jump up to get at them, which takes up their 

 time, amuses them at home, and so prevents straying. 



" I've heard of many ways of feeding them, and tried them 

 all almost, and, in my opinion, there is none to equal the old 

 rustic feeding-house principle. I've got one down here, and 

 if you've a mind, we'll just have a look at it," and turning the 

 corner of a nut walk, a picturesque little shed catches the 

 view. It was an oblong building supported by six unpeeled 

 rough poles sunk well into the ground, with others attached 

 at the top for rafter plates, on to which the skeleton of the 



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