164 PHEASANTS 



should lie well to the sun with something 

 of south or west in their aspect ; with 

 dense marginal growth to break the 

 searching winds of winter, wide rides and 

 not too close a canopy, and sufficient 

 width of wood to give shelter and sanctu- 

 ary. In determining the aspect of a 

 wood, it is well to remember that a few 

 degrees in the angle of the sun make all 

 the difference in warmth. 



The provision of water in dry soils is 

 essential to the welfare of the birds, 

 whether from natural sources or by the 

 use of drinking- fountains. In which 

 context it may not be without interest to 

 note that probably the most successful 

 pheasant rearer of his day once told the 

 writer that he considered the fact of his 

 woods being absolutely waterless as a 

 point in his favour ; for since his birds 

 were entirely dependent on his drinking- 

 pans to quench their thirst, he was thus 

 able to retain the post of physician to his 

 charges, after they had passed out of his 

 immediate care on the rearing-field, any 



