88 Formation of Pens. 



or long, six feet deep from back to front, and six feet high at 

 front ; the roof should project over the side eighteen inches to 

 throw off the wet. The ground must be dug out under the 

 house, and dry earth or sand be filled in. Faggots may be 

 placed here as before directed, or slanting against the back 

 wall ; every precaution being taken to induce seclusion for 

 the nests. For those pheasantries desired for strictly orna- 

 mental purposes the run may be made to any size agreeable to 

 the wishes of the owner and the conveniences of the ground 

 at command ; or of any design in character with some buildings 

 near at hand. These ornamental aviaries may be carried 

 out to any extent, but cannot be made to move about ; there- 

 fore the greatest attention must be paid to any minute detail 

 in construction to ensure the health and contentedness of the 

 inmates. When it is possible, the pens or runs should be placed 

 where there are some low-growing shrubs, or even currant 

 or gooseberry bushes, as they afford good sheltering places, 

 and it is quite possible that the hens will make their laying 

 nests at the roots of some of them, which will be a benefit to 

 the birds." 



When the birds are left full-winged in Avire a^-iaries, and 

 are wild, it v/ill be found very advantageous to have a cord 

 netting stretched some inches below the wire top, as other- 

 wise the birds are very apt to injure themselves severely 

 when they dash upwards on being alarmed. When it is 

 required to handle the pheasants, precautions must be employed 

 that are not needful in the case of fowls, for their extreme 

 timidity causes them to struggle so wildly as often to denude 

 themselves of a great portion of their plumage, or even to 

 break or dislocate their limbs. They are best caught by the 

 aid of a large landing-net, Avith which they can be secured 

 when driven into an angle, formed hj setting a large hurdle 

 against the side or in the corner of the pen. Mr. Baily, in 

 his practical little treatise, writes : — " The best way of catching 

 them is with a net made of hazel rod, se\ en or eight feet long, 

 forked at top. The fork is bent round, or rather oval shaped, 



