PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



thick; consequently a mute halt is called, then again the 

 keepers advance with four or five staid beaters with them, 

 going slowly and quite mute. They will proceed until they 

 are nearly up to the guns, they then halt, each standing quite 

 still ; the line that was left in the rear now comes on ; little 

 noise is now made, and every foot of land must be brushed, 

 or birds will be inclined to squat, and possibly may endeavour 

 to go behind the beaters. The noise made by brushing 

 the root tops will be of great use. The birds on rising and 

 seeing the front line of beaters and keepers in front will soar 

 to a great height, and will provide some magnificent sporting 

 shots. Having to condense this article it is impossible to 

 give the thousand and one details of such a shoot. I have 

 seen eight hundred Pheasants killed in these ways, and what 

 is more, not a bird was smothered with shot." 



An extract from an essay by Peter W. Watson, game- 

 keeper to His Highness Prince Eszterhazey, {Oldenburg) 

 Hungaria, was also inserted in the same number of the 

 Gamekeeper, and is as follows : — 



" For several seasons I have used cord about 500 yards 

 long. The cord must be strong, not too heavy nor too thick. 

 Sewn on it every 4 feet, alternately, should be a red and 

 white flag. (Sewelling is the ordinary name for it.) The 

 cord should be wound round a windlass. Paths or small tracks 

 should be cut through the underwood 40 to 50 yards in 

 the covert from where the guns are placed. These paths 

 can be made without any further damage to the trees being 

 done than pruning off a few of the lower branches, unless 

 the plantation is spruce fir, when a wider opening ought to 

 be made, so that the Pheasants would be able to see the 

 cord, and not run under it. If there are no suitable trees 



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