THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
then little likelihood of a shot -corn being lodged in any part of the body, 
especially in the ovaries, so that with healthy, tame hens, a good supply 
of fertile eggs should be secured. The cocks need not be caught until a 
much later period, for, if vigorous and in good health, there is no fear of 
their neglecting their opportunities. Where a good supply of wild cocks 
is at hand some keepers like to give them a chance of flying into open 
pens to the hens, thinking the progeny will be more vigorous, but this is 
a plan which is not very desirable, for the attentions of the wild birds 
are uncertain, and failure may be the result. The best proportion of the 
sexes is generally considered to be about five hens to one cock. If the hens 
are caught up in October they are easily captured, without being frightened, 
by leaving the coops on the rides, one or two of the brood hens being still 
left in the coops. A spare coop should have the door hitched up, and a 
feather from the wing of a barn-door fowl makes an excellent wedge to 
keep up the door, while it is easily pulled out when it is required to drop the 
barrier. Some corn should be thrown inside at every feed, to accustom 
the birds to go freely in and out to pick up the grain scattered within. 
When it is determined to catch up some young hens the keeper puts the 
food in as usual, and then waits a little way behind until a hen enters. As 
soon as it is inside the keeper steps quietly up, pulls out the feather, and 
lets down the door, and can then take the bird out at his leisure ; of course it 
cannot see him approach when it is once fairly inside the coop. If it is to 
be left a short time, it is better to close the front with the usual board, both 
to prevent the captive struggling to escape, and the others from noticing 
it has been made a prisoner. 
Movable pens are preferable to permanent ones, for they can be 
constantly pushed on to fresh ground. When permanent a pen should 
be eight feet high, thirty feet wide, and sixty feet long, surrounded by 
wire netting, and with the top covered over with tarred netting to pre- 
vent the birds from hurting themselves if they should chance to fly up 
against it. Boarding may be placed round the bottom of the wire netting, 
of such a height that a dog or fox standing on its hind legs cannot see 
over it ; for if the birds are subjected to this annoyance it takes some time 
before they get over their fright and settle down again. Small fir trees or 
low shrubs planted inside are very desirable, for pheasants are fond of 
sitting in them on fine days to enjoy the sun. A little roof of boards 
should be erected so that the pheasants may have a dry place to dust in 
during wet weather; and some fir branches are required, inclined against 
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