FORMATION OF COVERTS. 27 



depended on to flourish on sucli ground. In some cases, a stronghold may be 

 formed entirely of hoUies, Portugal laurels, and yews. Eor hen pheasants it will 

 he excellent; hut the cocks, which prefer to roost higher, should have a few firs or pines 

 close at hand for their accommodation. All food should he given in or near to these 

 secure nocturnal retreats." 



Respecting the conversion of existing mixed plantations into night coverts 

 for pheasants, the same gentleman remarks that "any plantation containing a due 

 proportion of pines, or of spruce and silver fir, can he readily made a secure roosting- 

 place for pheasants, if conveniently situated for the purpose, and not too much exposed 

 to violent winds. All that is necessary is to cut out the larches as rapidly as can he 

 done without letting in the wind too suddenly. The oaks, ashes, beeches, &c., may 

 be allowed to stand wherever they do not injure a thriving pine or fir. The larches 

 only are a dangerous temptation to the pheasants at roosting time. Their perfectly 

 horizontal branches, and the considerable amount of shelter which their numerous 

 twigs and regular head afford to the birds, induce many to perch in them; whereas 

 young oaks, ashes, &c., attract very few indeed. If the plantation consisted entirely 

 of resinous trees, so that none of the last-mentioned hardwood trees are present, then 

 we have to consider what is to be done to fill up the vacancies. If the soil be 

 tolerably moist and fertile, I would recommend that all the larger openings be filled 

 with the best and strongest plants of silver fir that can be procured — say from two 

 to three feet in height. Let a cluster of three or more of these be planted in pits, 

 carefully prepared with spade and pickaxe, about five feet asunder, in the centre of 

 every opening ; for it is a pity to waste such plants in closer proximity to tall pines 

 and spruces. If there be room for only one silver fir, let only one be planted. This 

 species is not very liable to be nibbled by hares and rabbits i£ protected for the first 

 year. Let the branches of the felled larches, with which the ground must still be 

 half covered, be drawn around these young plants without delay, for very little will 

 suffice to turn the enemy aside. 



" Silver firs are very preferable to spruces or pines for filling up vacancies, for 

 these latter, when drawn up slender by shade and shelter, are sure to be ruined by 

 hares and rabbits, whereas the silver fir is of a different habit, and will not be 

 drawn up in the same manner, nor is its taste so attractive to the marauders. It 

 also bears being removed large from the nursery, with very little injury or check to its 

 growth. Consequently, large plants of it, with earth adhering, though somewhat costly, 

 are well worth their price to the planter who knows where and how to use them. 

 Around these, and nearer to the tall pines and spruces, may be tried plants of the 

 holly-leaved berberis and common laurel, which may not improbably succeed. 

 Immediately under the pines and spruces it is useless to plant anything. The only 

 covert to be obtained there is from heaps of branches left upon the ground as often 

 as the trees are thinned. And this should be done almost annually, to insure 



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