PHEASANT COVERTS 



foliage above. In the formation of hedges, the Beech must 

 be close clipped. It is especially suitable for planting in 

 coverts where the soil is of a chalky nature, and this is the 

 reason why the Beech is one of the chief woodland trees of 

 the Chalk Hills on the South Coast of England. 



The density of the coriaceous and persistent foliage of the 

 Holly i^Ilex Aquifolium), combined with the protective influ- 

 ence of its spines, renders it particularly suitable for planting 

 in and around coverts, and many also recommend the Yew 

 {Taxus Baccaia), which, like the Holly, bears crimson berries, 

 though of slightly different hue. The toxicological properties 

 of the Yew are rather against its use about coverts, and no 

 explanation has been given why thrifty and well-fed Pheasants 

 should occasionally resort to the consumption of its foliage, 

 possibly with fatal results. Well-developed Yew-trees have 

 a closely arranged branch system with horizontal de- 

 viation of the branches, which, together with the close- 

 ness of the foliage, makes a very good shelter for the 

 birds, though as far as the establishment of a covert is 

 concerned, Yew-trees are never very likely to play a signi- 

 ficant part. 



The value of planting three varieties of trees, namely, 

 Oaks, Beeches and Sycamores, in and around every covert, 

 can hardly be over-estimated, as each of these supplies food 

 — natural food, which all Pheasants will readily consume. 

 Acorns, beech-mast, and the achenes or seeds of the Syca- 

 more (after the succulent part has dried away) are valuable 

 food for Pheasants. Their economical advantages are at 

 once obvious, to say nothing as to the provision of such 

 natural aliment being one of the best preventives against 

 straying or wandering in search of food. In support of the 

 truth of this statement, it is advisable to refer to the letter 

 of a correspondent, which appeared in the Gamekeeper for 



IS 



