PRESERVATION 97 



season and growth of herbage are thus 

 found and accounted for. 



The summarized results are valuable 

 as a work of reference in after years, for 

 they show most clearly what the work in 

 the past has been worth, and how far 

 measures taken to rid the partridges of 

 their enemies, improvise or construct 

 nesting-ground, or improve the stock by 

 change of blood have proved successful. 1 



The definite aim of keeping his records 

 up to date also helps to keep a man up to 

 his work. The maps and records of each 

 beat-keeper are occasionally checked by 

 the head-keeper and his master for we 

 naturally like to fancy ourselves as owner 

 of this place, taking a real interest in the 

 keepers and their work all the year round ; 

 the beat-keeper then produces his map, 

 half- a - dozen nests are selected there- 

 from at random, and the accuracy of his 

 notes tested first-hand. This guards 

 against the possible danger of a man 



1 The benefits of a successful change of blood should be 

 realized in an increase in the average number of eggs laid. 



7 



