100 PARTRIDGES 



the eggs are generally found before they 

 are spoilt, and taken to the incubator. 

 All these eggs are either added to con- 

 temporary nests, or else allowed to hatch 

 in the incubator, and turned down with 

 newly hatched coveys as soon as dry. 

 Late in the season, the family arrange- 

 ments of dilatory partridges are hurried 

 on by the use of the incubator and the 

 dummies, and the fortnight thus saved 

 must often make the whole difference to 

 the chances of the covey. 



When the hay is cut, the beat-keeper 

 is always there, working his dog in front 

 of the mowing machine, and doing all he 

 can to save his birds. Without offering 

 rewards for partridge nests a practice apt 

 to do more harm than good by encourag- 

 ing indiscriminate nest - hunting great 

 stress is laid on keeping the farmers and 

 farm-hands not only neutral, but actively 

 interested in the shooting. Some of the 

 farm-hands are right good fellows, and 

 are as useful as extra keepers in the 

 summer. The farmers and the keepers 



