Practical Game -Preserving. 32 



whilst remaining within the limits of reasonable anticipa- 

 tion, to go beyond this basis of calculation. Nor is there 

 anything to be gained by varying the proportion of hens 

 to cocks. The one given generally proves the most 

 productive. The size of the pens should not be less than 

 2oft. square, and may be increased with advantage, but 

 should not necessarily exceed 3oft. square. They should 

 be not less than 6ft. and not more than 8ft. high. These 

 are indispensable points in the construction of pens for 

 laying pheasants. Other matters in connection with them 

 admit of being varied according to circumstances, but these 

 do not. 



The mode of constructing the laying-pens may be varied 

 according to circumstances, but the class of pen to be 

 presently described is thoroughly suitable for the purpose, 

 and when strongly put together will stand without serious 

 repairs for a number of years. A series of pens adjoin- 

 ing one another is better than a number of detached ones, 

 whilst it has the further advantage of reducing the cost per 

 pen. The question of movable pens is one which need not 

 necessarily arise, but inasmuch as some soils and 

 situations will not permit of birds thriving for more than 

 one or at most two seasons upon the same piece of 

 ground, the class of pen here recommended is one that can 

 be constructed with a view to removal when necessary ; 

 the sides are then made in sections, and the corner 

 standards are independent of the framework of the pens. 



An individual pen of this description of the measure- 

 ments already given would have its sides formed either 

 of 2in. lath-wood, set up vertically 2in. apart, or of 2in. 

 wire netting, stretched over a framework, or partly of one 

 material and partly of the other. In cold districts the 

 first-named material is distinctly to be preferred, and 

 where a series of pens are set up, the backs all of them 



