Practical Game-Preserving. 13 



catch-up large quantities quickly, or for securing odd and 

 outlying birds. I give illustrations of two of the 

 simplest and most effective of these traps (Figs. 21 and 22). 



Pro-portion of Cock- and Hen-Birds. The question 

 frequently arises as to what is the most advantageous 

 proportion in which to have the birds at the end of the 

 season, and how to determine what that proportion should 

 be. It is frequently evident that the relative number 

 of hens left over in covert is too large for the number of 

 cocks, with the result that a large percentage of unfertile 

 eggs occur amongst the wild-nesting birds, and many of 

 the hens receive but scant attention. I think it will be 

 found that a better proportion of cocks to hens for 

 the breeding-stock in covert would be one to three. It is 

 a matter of considerable importance, particularly where 

 few or no penned birds are maintained, and one that 

 requires careful consideration by the preserver, and it will 

 be found an excellent plan if from about the first or 

 second week in December one small covert at least upon 

 each preserve or beat be selected for reservation for the 

 breeding-stock or the main portion of it. In this way, 

 by careful feeding and coaxing the birds it will be 

 possible to assemble in this particular part of course it 

 should be central of the preserve such numbers of birds, 

 in the proportions of one cock to two or three hens at the 

 most, as shall suffice for practically the whole breeding- 

 stock for the coming season. 



The Fusion System of Hatching Pheasants. This 

 system, initiated by the Duke of Graf ton upon his Euston 

 estates, is one which, though not largely adopted, has been 

 greatly discussed, and has for its aim the rearing of 

 pheasants practically wild, but without the disadvantages 

 attaching to hand-reared birds, such as tameness or poor 

 flying qualities, or equally to avoid the losses to the 



