230 CLASS AVES. 



but the hen, which always remains shut up, serves as a rally- 

 ing point for the young pheasants, and by continually calling 

 them back, prevents them from wandering. 



Eggs of ants should, if possible, constitute their constant 

 food for the first month ; it is even dangerous to dispense 

 with them altogether ; but the difficulty of procuring them, 

 in sufficient abundance, renders it necessary to find out some 

 substitute; hard eggs, mixed with crumb of bread, and a 

 little lettuce, will answer pretty well. Their repasts should 

 not be too frequent, at this early epoch, and they should 

 receive but little at a time; this is the only means of securing 

 them from contagious and even incurable maladies. It is 

 justified by experience, and accordant with nature. The hen 

 pheasant in the woods leads her young about continually all 

 day long, and this continual change of place gives them the 

 opportunity of feeding without repletion. After a month the 

 quality of their food may be changed a little, and the quan- 

 tity augmented. 



The young pheasants are subject to be attacked by a 

 species of lice, which proves to them a dangerous and even a 

 fatal malady, if not remedied in time ; the only means of 

 preventing it is by the most scrupulous cleanliness respect- 

 ing them and their habitation. With the young pheasants 

 dangers diminish as they advance in age, but they have still 

 a critical period to undergo. When they are a little more 

 than two months old, the feathers of their tail begin to fall, 

 and new ones to shoot out. This period may be accelerated, 

 and rendered less dangerous, by feeding them on the eggs 

 of ants. These, however, should not be given too abundantly, 

 for a superabundance of this kind of food is as pernicious 

 as its use is necessary. 



It is of great importance to be very particular about the 

 water which is given to the young pheasants. It should be 

 of the best quality, and continually renewed. Inattention in 



