PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



November 1909, under the title of "Acorns and Straying 

 Pheasants " : — 



" There is no denying the fondness of Pheasants for acorns, 

 and those among us who wish to bear as large a head as 

 possible, and still keep the autumn food bill within certain 

 limits, are glad to see a plentiful crop. Other keepers 

 who are allowed to use what corn they like may not care 

 to see a big crop of acorns, because they state Pheasants 

 stray in search of them, and thus cause a good deal of 

 trouble. 



" I have paid some little attention to this matter, and have 

 arrived at the conclusion that the birds do not really stray after 

 the acorns, but owing to the speedy way in which they are 

 able to fill their crop when such fare is abundant, have a lot of 

 spare time on hand to spend in getting into mischief. A 

 Pheasant on arriving on a tree, the ground beneath which is 

 thickly littered with acorns, can, in a few minutes, swallow as 

 many as will cram its crop and take half a day to digest, 

 while it would have to search for hours to secure enough of 

 other fare. Thus the birds are unemployed the greater 

 part of the time, and unemployed Pheasants have only one 

 recourse, and that is to wander. If the acorn supply could 

 be spread over a longer period, it would be far better, but 

 we have to face a glut and consequent straying. 



" There would be less straying in the time of acorns, I feel 

 convinced, were keepers to observe two points, these being 

 to provide good supplies of grit and water. Acorns are hard 

 shelled and their mastication must be a great strain on the 

 gizzard, so more grit than usual is needed to enable that organ 

 to fulfil its functions, and if the necessary quantity is not to 

 be found at home. Pheasants feeding on acorns will resort to 

 where it is. Water is also needed in larger quantities than 



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