94 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS 



several failures. Handling the eggs and teasing a 

 hen on her nest is always injudicious; if, however, 

 you do attempt to help chicks out of their eggs, you 

 will find the end of a thin steel knitting-needle the 

 best instrument to use, as it is smooth and round at 

 the point. Lift the shell upwards round the spot 

 made in the egg by the beak of the bird in its 

 efforts to force through. If you prick the skin of 

 the chick it will die. Should the chick have pushed 

 its beak partly out of the shell, but can proceed no 

 farther, clear an opening for its body in the shell and 

 film when you perceive the latter has turned a, dark 

 colour. 



THE PREPARATION OF THE REARING FIELD 



Whilst the eggs are hatching, we will have a look 

 at the rearing field to see all is ready for the hens 

 and chicks. This field will have been selected long 

 previous, and the vermin round it well trapped down, 

 and, as before directed, the grass in the field should 

 be eaten short, by sheep for choice. 



If small tender chicks are placed in long grass at 

 first, the consequences are certain to be disastrous, 

 even though clear spaces are mown in the form of 

 rides on which to set the coops. 



Long grass soaks the ground and holds moisture, 

 and very young birds not only lose themselves in it, 

 but will also be chilled to death by the wet and dew. 



