FORMATION OF PENS. 85 



with which, at times, a small proportiuu of greaves is mixed 

 to su]}ply the place of the animal foijd the pheasants would 

 obtain in a state oC 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 sup])ly 

 of clean fresh water is j)rovided for the birds. The youug 

 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 Mv. V. Crook vary 

 somewhat in detail from those desci-ibed, but are equally 

 practical and effective. He writes: — "An order should 

 be given to the ordinary wattled-hurdle makers to make a 

 given quantity of six feet by six feet open hurdles, with well- 

 pointed ends ; twenty-four of these hurdles, when placed in 

 position, will make a convenient-sized run, thirty-six feet 

 every way ; but preparation must be made for a doorway, and 

 for covering over the whole of the hurdles inside the run with 

 one and a half inch wire netting round the sides, and string- 

 netting for the top. For the size run specified there must be 

 four ])osts, made with four-way T piece tops, to carry the 

 netting; the posts to be placed equi-distant from each other, 

 to properly divide off the interior centre space; from each 

 upright should branch out movalile perches about eighteen 

 inches long, at different heights from the ground. The next 

 and most important point is the arrangement of nesting- 

 places. At the nio.st retired portion (if the run faggots should 

 be placed, in bundles of three or more, arranged conical 

 fashion, or piled as soldiers do their arms, leaving a good 

 space open at the bottom; but before setting the faggots m 

 their ])laces, the earth must be dug out six inches deep, and 

 filled in with di'y loose sand dv fine dry mould, and the 

 faggots placed over tlie sand. There should be as mau\- of 

 these nesting-places as the space will affcird, taking care that 

 sutHcient space is lelt between each to admit of easy access by 



