JIOIV TO SHOW PHEASANTS 141 



portion, end or corner, be reserved to represent a clump 

 as far as possible. This must be thickened by under- 

 growth or false covert, or both ; the former is far pre- 

 ferable, and should the rabbits be so numerous as to 

 destroy it, wire netting can be kept round it all the year, 

 and be taken up on the day before the shooting. 



At the proper distance from this thick portion, 

 which we will call the flush, and so planned as to 

 intercept the line which the pheasants are most likely 

 to take in making back into the main part of the 

 wood, some sort of clearing, or, if possible, a broad 

 ride, should be cut for a stand for the guns. It will 

 not be found necessary to cut down every tree in this 

 ride. The best and most ornamental may be left ; 

 but the undergrowth should be cleared, and may even 

 be removed with advantage over a great part of the 

 area between the stand and the flush. If the ground 

 favours it, and the wood does not lie on an absolute 

 flat, take advantage of any fall in the ground to get 

 the stand on a lower level than the flush. Here place 

 your guns in one line, or two, as before ; only in this 

 case you may very likely want one or two at the back 

 or sides of the flush, with the beaters, especially in 

 case there be an adjoining large wood which some 

 birds may make for. 



All this part of the business is simple enough ; you 



