FORMATION OF COVERTS. 27 
depended on to flourish on such ground. In some cases, a stronghold may be 
formed entirely of hollies, Portugal laurels, and yews. For hen pheasants it will 
be excellent; but the cocks, which prefer to roost higher, should have a few firs or pines 
close at hand for their accommodation. All food should be given in or near to these 
secure nocturnal retreats.”’ 
Respecting the conversion of existing mixed plantations into night coverts 
for pheasants, the same gentleman remarks that “any plantation containing a due 
proportion of pines, or of spruce and silver fir, can be readily made a secure roosting- 
place for pheasants, if conveniently situated for the purpose, and not too much exposod 
to violent winds. All that is necessary is to cut out the larches as rapidly as can be 
done without letting in the wind too suddenly. The oaks, ashes, beeches, &c., may 
be allowed to stand wherever they do not injure a thriving pine or fir. The larches 
only are a dangerous temptation to the pheasants at roosting time. Their perfectly 
horizontal branches, and the considerable amount of shelter which their numerous 
twigs and regular head afford to the birds, induce many to perch in them; whereas 
young oaks, ashes, &c., attract very few indeed. If the plantation consisted entirely 
of resinous trees, so that none of the last-mentioned hardwood trees are present, then 
we have to consider what is to be done to fill up the vacancies. If the soil be 
tolerably moist and fertile, I would recommend that all the larger openings be filled 
with the best and strongest plants of silver fir that can be procured—say from two 
to three feet in height. Let a cluster of three or more of these be planted in pits, 
carefully prepared with spade and pickaxe, about five feet asunder, in the centre of 
every opening; for it is a pity to waste such plants in closer proximity to tall pines 
and spruces. If there be room for only one silver fir, let only one be planted. This 
species is not very liable to be nibbled by hares and rabbits if protected for the first 
year. Let the branches of the felled larches, with which the ground must still be 
half covered, be drawn around these young plants without delay, for very little will 
suffice to turn the enemy aside. 
“Silver firs are very preferable to spruces or pines for filling up vacancies, for 
these latter, when drawn up slender by shade and shelter, are sure to be ruined by 
hares and rabbits, whereas the silver fir is of a different habit, and will not be 
drawn up in the same manner, nor is its taste so attractive to the marauders. It 
also bears being removed large from the nursery, with very little injury or check to its 
erowth. Consequently, large plants of it, with earth adhering, though somewhat costly, 
are well worth their price to the planter who knows where and how to use them. 
Around these, and nearer to the tall pines and spruces, may be tried plants of the 
holly-leaved berberis and common laurel, which may not improbably succeed. 
Immediately under the pines and spruces it is useless to plant anything. The only 
covert to be obtained there is from heaps of branches left upon the ground as often 
as the trees are thinned. And this should be done almost annually, to insure 
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