S4 Formation of Pens. 



With regard to the employment of animal food, such as 

 horseflesh, greaves, etc., I believe its use, except in the very 

 smallest quantity, to be exceedingly injurious : nor do I 

 approve of the spiced condiments so strongly recommended 

 by the makers. As regards the use of greaves, Dr. Hammond 

 Smith writes : — " I have always objected to these, unless 

 given in very small quantities, and if possible well cooked. 

 Greaves are the residue from soap and candle works, and if 

 kept would become a regular hot-bed for all sorts of bacilh, 

 especially the Goertner and coli bacillus, either of which 

 might set up enteritis." The bodies of dead domestic animals 

 can, however, be most advantageously utihsed by allowing 

 them to become thoroughly fly-blown, and then burying them 

 under about a foot of loose soil in the pens, where the maggots 

 go through the regular stages of growth, after which they 

 work their way to the surface cleansed of all impurities in their 

 passage through the soil. They furnish an admirable supply 

 of insect food for the birds, and give them constant occupation 

 and exercise in scratching in the ground. Utilised in this 

 manner, the bodies of dead fowls, or any small domestic 

 animals, are perfectly inoffensive, and the result is most 

 beneficial to the birds. 



The employment of crushed bones, as a substitute for the 

 varied animal substances the pheasant feeds upon when in a 

 wild state, is highly advantageous. Jlr. F. Crook writes : — 

 " We have seen many instances of game being perfectly cured 

 of both eating their eggs and plucking each other, hy the 

 continual practice of giving a portion of well-smashed bones 

 every day. These remarks apply more especially (o the home 

 pheasantries, in consequence of the absence of the natural 

 shell stuff they pick up when at liberty, but we would recom- 

 mend some to be thrown about the feeding grounds of the 

 preserves, as the liigbh' nutritious nature of the elements 

 of smashed fresh bones conduces remarkably to keep the birds 

 together, particularly in vi'ry wet seasons, when the condition 

 of the land renders it impossible for them to scratch about to 



