CHAPTER XIII 

 THE PHEASANT 



THE science of rearing and "showing" pheasants has 

 produced such an extensive literature, and has become 

 such an elaborate affair, that it is absolutely impossible 

 for such a book as this to attempt to deal with the ques- 

 tion in any but a summary way. To enter into the de- 

 tails of " showing" pheasants alone would require the 

 whole of this book and more, and we can only repeat 

 what we said when dealing with grouse-driving that 

 every man who desires to reach to any perfection in the 

 art and science of the matter must have recourse to the 

 books of the great authorities. I n the rearing, showing, 

 and shooting of pheasants, more than in any other branch 

 of sport, it is advisable that a small reference library be 

 at the command of the head-keeper, and it is for the 

 master to see that advantage is taken of the privileges 

 of this literature. Although we have indicated more 

 than once the leading writers on sport, it may not be out 

 of place here to enumerate the books of reference which 

 we have found most useful in our study of pheasants. 



(1) Experience by far the best book. 



(2) The Encyclopedia of Sport. 



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