REARING AND BREEDING PHEASANTS. 257 



Copperas dissolved in water is a good pre- 

 ventive for gapes, so is stone vitriol, but both 

 must be used with caution as they are poisons. 

 In all food it is a good thing to use a little finely- 

 chopped lettuce, but if you cannot get it, nettles. 

 Never give water to healthy chicks, the moisture 

 they get from the grass is quite sufficient. 



The most difficult time for the breeder is the 

 first fortnight. Get them over that and with 

 attention they are pretty safe. 



When young, they should be fed at least five 

 times a day, at feeding times ; the slightest 

 whistle or call will bring them to the feeder in 

 scores, but they will come to any call they are 

 accustomed to. I remember one keeper used 

 to bring his birds together by beating an old 

 spoon on the tin which held the food. 



There is another nasty thing young birds 

 often take, and that is the Tettigonia spumaria. 

 called by many " cuccoo spit," or "frog's spittle." 

 When this is the case a little olive oil must be 

 given, and the birds immediately removed to a 

 drier and more airy situation. 



Birds that begin to droop and mope are 

 generally those that are stunted in their growth, 



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