M MANAGEMENT O^ PHEASANTS IN GONPINEMENT. 



pole* supported about four feet from the ground by a post at each end. Across this 

 was laid a number of stout branches and long faggots, forming a kind of shelter to 

 which the birds could have recourse, and under which the hens would occasionally 

 lay; but the chief advantage it affords is that of a roosting-place, elevated from 

 the ground, and so keeping the birds away from the cold damp soil during the night. 

 The sloping arrangement of these branches is advantageous to the birds, as aU of 

 them have the flight feathers of one wing (not both) cut short; they are thus 

 destitute of the power of flight, and consequently inclined branches, up which they 

 can walk and down which they can descend without violence, are exceedingly useful. 

 These runs, open as they are, afford all the shelter required, provided they are not 

 placed on the north or east side of a hiU or rising ground. Their advantage over 

 permanent buildings is great; ia the latter pheasants cannot be successfully reared, 

 tis the ground becomes tainted, scrofulous diseases break out, showiag themselves 

 chiefly in white tubercles in the Hver ; and the ground also becomes charged with 

 the ova of the Sclerostoma syngotmus, or gapeworm, which often causes great havoc 

 amongst the young poults. Both of these evUs may be in great measure avoided by 

 shifting the runs as frequently as may be convenient. The runs may be made of 

 any size, so as to accommodate one cock and three or four hens, or a larger number 

 of birds. Care must be taken not to have them too small, as the birds when closely 

 confined, often take to pecking one another's feathers— an evU which is occasionally 

 carried on until the persecuted bird is kiUed. When runs are made small, the ground 

 very rapidly becomes tainted, and the birds consequently diseased. The vigorous, 

 healthy aspect of the numerous birds I saw at these pheasantries was evidently owing, 

 in great part at least, to the large size of the inclosures, and the fresh ground 

 to which they are so frequently shifted. No nest-places are made or required; 

 the hens generally drop their eggs about at random, and they should be looked 

 for and collected at least twice a day. This is most important, as, if any eggs 

 are chipped or broken the birds may acquire the bad habit of pecking them, which 

 is quickly acquired by all others in the run, and wUl be found exceedingly difficult 

 to eradicate. The food employed is good sound barley, with a certain proportion of 

 buckwheat. This is varied by soft food consisting of meal, with which, at times, a small 

 proportion of greaves is mixed to supply the place of the animal food the pheasants 

 would obtain in a state of 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 supply of clean fresh water is provided for the birds. The young 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 Mr. E. Crook vary somewhat in detail 

 from those described, but are equally practical and effective. He writes: — "Ah 



