136 PARTRIDGES 



of hand -rearing partridges, or using 

 incubator or hens. The manner in 

 which change of blood is obtained. 

 Any diseases and their probable causes. 

 The size of beat given to one man. 

 The question of feeding wild partridges. 

 The latest date on which partridges 

 should be shot, and the desirable size of 

 stock to leave. The question of replen- 

 ishing stock after a succession of bad 

 seasons. Results past and present stock 

 generally increasing or the reverse ; acres 

 to each bird killed on the best beat and 

 all over the ground. 



GORDONSTOUN, ELGIN 



(From notes by Mr. ROBERT BELL, head-keeper to 

 Sir WILLIAM GORDON-GUMMING, Bart.) 



Extent of ground about 7000 acres, mostly under cul- 

 tivation on a five years' course corn, turnips, corn, two 

 years grass. Fortunately for partridges, the soil of 

 Morayshire must be cultivated, as it is too light to lay 

 down in grass. About half the ground has a light sandy 

 soil, the rest heavier land and clay. 



On the light soil, which is naturally the principal 

 partridge ground, there is a scarcity of natural nesting 

 ground ; this is remedied to some extent by fencing off 



