A continuous supply prevents the straying of pheasants as they grow
up, and feel inclined to see the world, especially when they have been
weaned from food more or less pappy to a diet of hard corn. Another
benefit is felt by the gamekeeper: where there is no constant supply,
he must trudge many weary miles carrying heavy buckets of water, and
he knows all the time that his labour is almost in vain--so much of
the precious water is wasted by evaporation, and fouled by the birds
washing themselves, and by the drifting of leaves. If artificial
supplies are relied upon, it is always difficult to supply enough; if
rain is relied upon, there is usually far too much. For game-birds, the
ideal covert is one with never-failing brooks, and the ideal weather
is the ideal weather of April--days of warm sunshine with occasional
light, warm showers by day to supplement the dews of night.
* * * * *