47 



Pheasants. 



Each box should be supplied with a square of clean, dry 

 turf, sufficiently large that when it is gently forced down 

 into position it forms a slight hollow in which the eggs are 

 placed. The dimensions given are ample for the reception 

 of the fifteen or seventeen forming the clutph, and the 

 broody hens can be conveniently set upon them at such 

 time in the morning after they have been fed. The doors 

 of the boxes are then closed until feeding-time next day ; 

 but it is advisable to take an observation of them during 

 the afternoon, so as to be assured that the hens are sitting 

 comfortably and are quiet upon their nests. 



lit. FT 



Fig. 4. Section of Hatching-House. 



Practically the same procedure obtains when the hens are 

 set in the open air, but it naturally follows that care and 

 discrimination are required in the choice of the position 

 assigned for the nesting-boxes. The facilities at command 

 in this respect will decide whether it is better to employ runs 

 to the boxes or to tether the hens when they come off to feed. 

 A hatching-house should back to the north if possible, and 

 the hatching-boxes in the open must be similarly placed ; 

 there should also be a level, open space in front of them 

 where the runs may stand, or where the hens are placed 

 for feeding. Good, sound old turf is far and away the 



