66 ma:nagbmbnt op phbasajstts m confinement. 



times a week, as a very large number of hens were kept. A book was kept, in 

 which, were entered the eggs laid each day, the eggs given out being also entered 

 in a second column, and the number of birds hatched in a third; and the keeper 

 was directed to preserve aU the eggs not hatched or bad, so that they might be 

 added to the number of birds, and the total of birds hatched and bad eggs compared 

 with the eggs laid. The first ten or twelve hens brought out good broods of from 

 thirteen to seventeen birds each. Afterwards they decreased, and in many cases 

 there were only three, and even as low as one bird in a brood. The eggs were 

 never more than a day or two old when first sat upon, we had often hens waiting 

 for the eggs, and everything was most favourable for a large return of birds. At this 

 time some suspicion was entertained, and for a time the keeper was more closely 

 looked after, when the broods at once came up to twelve and fourteen birds. But, 

 unfortunately, the same watchful care was not continued, and at the end of the 

 season it was found that he was short upwards of seven himdred eggs, and that he 

 had sold upwards of thirty-five pounds worth. The sitting-house was a fijst-rate 

 one for the purpose— large, roomy, and dry. The keeper's plan was to keep back 

 a portion of good eggs out of each setting, and substitute bad ones in their place. 

 I am very far indeed from saying that this is a common occurrence ; for I am glad 

 to say that most keepers are as anxious about their charges as their employers, and 

 take a pride in. showing a large head of game." 



Prom the indisposition shown by the pheasant to incubate in confinement, it 

 is necessary in all cases to have recourse to the hens of the domestic fowl as foster 

 parents. Various opinions are offered as to the breed of fowls most suitable for the 

 purpose. There can, however, be no doubt that it should be one of a moderate 

 size, and not too prolific in egg producing, as it is essential that the mother hen 

 should keep with the poults as long as possible, which she is not likely to do after 

 she commences laying. Silky fowls are strongly recommended by some, and they 

 unquestionably constitute admirable mothers. M. Vekemans, of the Antwerp 

 ZJoological Gardens, where rare pheasants are reared more successfully than in any 

 similar establishment in Europe, employs half-bred silkies; and the late Mr. Stone, 

 of Soyborwen, fully indorsed his opinion. These half-bred silkies are good sitters, 

 adrairable mothers, and keep a long time with the young. The ordinary bantams 

 sometimes recommended are undoubtedly too small, not being able to cover the 

 poults when of any size. The employment of pure bred game hens is strongly 

 recommended by many breeders of pheasants, as they wUl defend their chicks 

 against any enemies that may attack them, though their natural wildness renders 

 their management somewhat difficult at times; any small tame ordinary hens wiU 

 answer if known as good nurses, and none others should be employed. 



It is the common custom to set the hens in close boxes, with little or no 

 -^ventilation, crowded together in sitting houses. Under these conditions the nests 



