121 



Pheasants. 



This brings us to the subject of keepers' huts (Fig. 19), 

 of which there are a number of patterns upon the market at 

 reasonable rates. The essentials of a keeper's hut for the 

 rearing-field are that it should be easily portable, light, 

 and conveniently provided with all the essentials he may 

 require for his work. Included in them must be a small 

 stove, burning oil for preference, with which he can provide 

 boiling water and otherwise prepare the birds' food. The 

 advantage of any- 

 thing of the kind 

 will be apparent ; but 

 upon small preserves, 

 where the rearing- 

 field is within easy 

 access of the keeper's 

 quarters, its use may 

 be dispensed with. 

 It is necessary in 

 connection with this 

 matter to point out 

 how very frequently 

 a hut of this kind is 

 allowed to become 

 the site of an ac- 

 cumulation of all 

 sorts of disease-bearing refuse, which proves an attraction 

 to rats and other vermin. All such offal should be 

 removed or burnt, and the position of the hut changed 

 from time to time. 



The present is a favourable opportunity for mentioning 

 the great assistance in his work a keeper obtains from the 

 possession and employment of a good pair of binoculars, 

 especially when fitted with night lenses. Both for the 

 purpose of examining his young birds without disturbing 



^Wjfl* 5 ^_ f . 



FFg. 19. -Keeper's Hut. 



