107 Pheasants. 



The best aspect for a pheasant-covert is a south-west 

 one, and the best position the side of a hill, or on 

 undulating ground facing the south-west quarter. The 

 land should be dry, without being sterile, and must be 

 intersected by running water at intervals. If there be a 

 spring anywhere near the highest points, it may be utilised 

 by being held back in dead-level leats, cut through the 

 covert. 



When planting, two descriptions of trees must be put 

 in one to form the wood, the other to provide a cover 

 in the shape of undergrowth. Of the former, the bulk 

 must consist of thick-growing trees, to provide, not only 

 shelter for the birds from cold or wet, but roosting places 

 and protection from the eye of the night poacher. As 

 explained already, the larch must not be used alone when 

 laying out new plantations; it and other similar trees 

 should be combined with those of thick dark foliage, so 

 that the one may form a protection to the other. 



A preliminary, prior to planting out your land, is to 

 render it somewhat uneven in its surface, such irregularity 

 possessing many desirable attributes. This is best effected 

 by shaping the land into fairly abrupt ridges. The next 

 step is to plant or sow in places with such descriptions of 

 berry- and fruit-bearing bushes as will provide ground- 

 cover and food for the birds. It is not unusual for the 

 contrary plan to be advocated as regards berry- and fruit- 

 bearing trees, on the score that they provide reasons for 

 loafers and small hawkers entering the coverts to obtain 

 them or to make this a reason for petty poaching ; but the 

 circumstances must be exceptional to give reasonable 

 ground for dispensing with such a very considerable attrac- 

 tion and benefit to the pheasants. 



Then commence the planting, selecting from amongst 

 the following trees : oak, ash, beech, hornbeam, chestnut, 



