IDO NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PHEASANT 



But night poaching is not the most vexatious form 

 of stealing game, and even if it were, measures can be 

 taken to reduce it to a minimum. The game pre- 

 server usually suffers most from bad neighbours. Per- 

 haps a small farmer has a strip of land surrounded by 

 well-stocked coverts. If he is a man of small scruples, 

 he may help himself to. the squire's pheasants without 

 incurring serious risk. Amateur poachers of this kind 

 must be treated with and bought over by friendly 

 overtures. 



There is a good story of a French sportsman, 

 the Prince of Conde, which will illustrate the force of 

 this. A certain citizen of Senlis had begged that the 

 post of rate collector might be given to his son, but 

 the candidate was rejected. He sought to enlist the 

 influence of the Prince, but received a peremptory 

 refusal, as the Prince regarded the political views of 

 the family with disapprobation. A family council was 

 held by the relatives, who happened to possess some 

 properties which bordered upon the preserves of the 

 Prince. All the lad's relations gave him legal authority 

 to kill game on their land with gun, dogs, snares, or 

 in any other way that he could devise. Day and night 

 the young man shot upon the confines of the Prince's 

 land. As soon as ever a head of game left that domain 

 its fate was sealed. One day a brace of pheasants 



