The Common Pheasant. 202 
-bably hatched by the parent birds. The chicks run 
Vemecamy, even while part of the shell is on their 
back.) I must not foreet to mention that the eggs of 
Ciem@ahedcineeate OF Creat valle when taken in the 
early part of the breeding season, and poachers know 
where to find, and receive several shillings for a nest 
_ of freshly-laid eggs. 
The chicks of these birds feed on small seeds and 
insects, especially ants and their eggs. This diet is 
- mixed with a little green herbage; but when the time 
of harvest comes, they partake freely of corn, peas, 
bealsywoaeat, and barley; and when the month of 
October is fast drawing near to its close, the acorns 
begin to drop, and supply good fattening nourishment 
for our king birds of sport. 
Should a cover that is thickly preserved be near a 
wood that is not so well kept, with a slip of buck- 
wheat growing near, and the keeper feeds with that 
grain mixed with white peas inside the cover teal 
be sure to afford sport derived from the opposite wood. 
This is often done by gamekeepers who wish to show 
their employers a good day's shooting without any 
