52 MANAGEMENT OF PHEASANTS IN CONFINEMENT, 
pole, supported about four feet from the ground by a post at each end. Across this 
_-was laid a number of stout branches and long faggots, forming a kind of shelter to 
which the birds could have recourse, and under which the hens would occasionally 
lay; but the chief advantage it affords is that of a roosting-place, elevated from 
the ground, and so keeping the birds away from the cold damp soil during the night. 
The sloping arrangement of these branches is advantageous to the birds, as all of 
them have the flight feathers of one wing (not both) cut short; they are thus 
destitute of the power of flight, and consequently inclined branches, up which they 
can walk and down which they can descend without violence, are exceedingly useful. 
These runs, open as they are, afford all the shelter required, provided they are not 
placed on the north or east side of a hill or rising ground, Their advantage over 
permanent buildings is great; in the latter pheasants cannot be successfully reared, 
as the ground becomes tainted, scrofulous diseases. break out, showing themselves 
chiefly in white tubercles in the liver; and the ground also becomes charged with 
the ova of the Sclerostoma syngamus, or gapeworm, which often causes great havoc 
amongst the young poults. Both of these evils may be in great measure avoided by 
shifting the runs as frequently as may be convenient. The runs may be made of . 
any size, so as to accommodate one cock and three or four hens, or a larger number 
of birds. Care must be taken not to have them too small, as the birds when closely 
confined, often take to pecking one another’s feathers—an evil which is occasionally 
carried on until the persecuted bird is killed. When runs are made small, the ground 
very rapidly becomes tainted, and the birds consequently diseased. The vigorous, 
healthy aspect of the numerous birds I saw at these pheasantries was evidently owing, 
in great part at least, to the large size of the inclosures, and the fresh ground 
to which they are so frequently shifted. No nest-places are made or required ; 
the hens generally drop their eggs about at random, and they should be looked 
for and collected at least twice a day. This is most important, as, if any eggs 
are chipped or broken the birds may acquire the bad habit of pecking them, which 
is quickly acquired by all others in the run, and will be found exceedingly difficult 
to eradicate. The food employed is good sound barley, with a certain proportion of 
buckwheat. This is varied by soft food consisting of meal, with which, at times, a small 
proportion of greaves is mixed to supply the place of the animal food the pheasants 
would obtain in a state of nature. Acorns are occasionally employed, but the birds 
prefer grain. The food is strewed broadcast on the ground; and it is needless to say 
that a constant supply of clean fresh water is provided for the birds. The young are ~ 
hatched under common barnyard fowls, and are reared on custard, biscuit, meal, rice, 
and millet, with occasionally a little hempseed—ants’ eggs, though exceedingly 
advantageous, not being found in the locality. 
The arrangements recommended by Mr. F. Crook vary somewhat in detail 
from those described, but are equally practical and effective. He writes :—*<An 
