ISC PHEASANTS FOE COVERTS AND AVIAIUKS. 



but in lieauty, hanlilidod, and taljle qualities they leave 

 uothino- to l)e desired. The hens, however, are dittieult to 

 distiiignisli fi-(]iu those of the common species, liut the 

 variation in the foatlier markings between the cross-bred 

 Mongolian and ordinai'v hen pheasants was tjie subject of two 

 interesting commuuications by Dr. H. Ilanimoud Smith which 

 ap]ieared (with illustrati(nis) in the Fifld of February (J and 

 Mai-ch Ci, i!)()9. 



The directi(,>us published by the ]\[assachusetts t4ame 

 Commission as to rearing the supjKJsed ^Mongolian, but really 

 Chinese King-necked pheasant, successfully on the maggots 

 of the bhu'-bottle, or blow-lly, wdiere ants' eggs cannot be 

 obtained, are so important that although they were issued in 

 error as to the species of plieasant, I think they are well 

 worth rejirodnetion, and iherefore insert tlie f(jllowing 

 extract i'rom the report : — 



" The arrangement for raising maggots is simple and easily 

 constructed. A small house Oft. by 8ffc. and tift. high was 

 framed and covered with matched boai'ds. Four windows 

 were cut in it, but, instead of glass, they were ci.ivcred on the 

 Ciutside witli jin. mesh wire cloth, and s(.ilid shutters hinged 

 on the (Uitside. A ventilator Sin. square a.nd I'ift. high was 

 attached to the roof. .P)y opening the door and wiiuhjws the 

 jionse Avas sufficiently ventilated in a short time to do what 

 work was necessary inside. Across one side, near the top. 

 and about lOin. from the boarding, a joist was fastened, 

 tliickly studded with small meat hooks ; 'Join, below this 

 were placed hopper-shaped boxes, ISin. sfpiaro at the to]"i, 

 ]2in. at bottom, and 7in. deep, the l.iottom covered with 

 J in. mesh wire cloth. Px'hjw these were a.rraug'cd tight 

 drawers iSin. s(piare and fin. dee[i, around the tops of which 

 were nailed strips of tin projecting inward about jin. to 

 prevent the nmggots crawling (jut. 



" After many experiments it was found that sheep ]ilucks 

 were the cheajiest and most available material for the purjiose, 

 thirty-six ])lucks a week ]u-oducing enough fo(jd f(jr about 



