POEMATION OF PENS AND AVIAEIBS. 53 



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. Eor the size run specified 

 there must be four posts, 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 movable 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 most retired portion of 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 in their places, the earth must be dug out six inches deep, and 

 flUed in with dry loose sand or fine dry mould, and then place the faggots over the 

 sand. There should be as many of these nesting-places as the space will afford, 

 taking care that sufficient space is left between each to admit of easy access by the 

 birds and their keeper." Some writers recommend pens made of eight hurdles, 

 each six feet long, giving a square of twelve feet in each side, and having 

 an interior space of only 144 superficial feet; but I regard these pens as too 

 small for the health or comfort of the birds, that are far more apt to fall info 

 the evil habits of egg eating and feather plucking than when confined ijj 

 larger runs. 



With regard to the food of the old birds in the pens, the more varied it is 

 the better. Good sound grain such as maize, barley, buckwheat, malt, tail whe^tt, 

 and oats, &c., may all be used. Mr. Baily recommends strongly an occasional feed of 

 boiled potatoes, of which the birds are exceedingly fond. He writes : — " Eor bringing 

 pheasants home, or for keeping them there, we know of nothing equal to boilgd 

 potatoes. Let them be boiled with the skins whole, and in that state taken 

 to the place where they are to be used. Before they are put down, cut out 

 of each skin a piece the size of a shilling, showing the meal within. Place 

 them at moderate distances from each other, and the pheasants will foUow them 

 anywhere." 



Rice and damaged currants and raisins are very well for an occasional change 

 but should be sparingly used. A few acorns may be given from time to time, 

 but their too exclusive use is apt to prove injurious. Mr. J. Fairfax Muckley, 

 of Audnam, writes on their employment as follows : — " Three seasons ago I 

 laid in a stock of acorns, and instructed the feeder to give the pheasants a 

 few every day. They preferred them to other food. In one week I had ten dead 

 birds. They were fat and healthy in every respect, with the exception of inflam- 



