44 PHEASANTS FOB COVEBTS AND AVIABIES. 



Respecting tlie 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 be 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 be 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 

 horizolital 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 if 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 

 fiUijig 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 



