148 PARTRIDGES 



probably caused by the sewage bringing up tbe young 

 grass earlier on these meadows than in other places, and 

 the birds feeding on it. 



Hungarians are turned down every year, on an average 

 about 400 brace of Hungarians for the whole estate. 

 Some we pen for a short period, and some are turned out 

 straight from the baskets through the hedges ; it all 

 depends on the state in which the birds arrive. If they 

 look well and healthy, they are turned straight out, but if 

 they appear to have suffered from the journey, then they 

 are penned for a few days. As a rule we find the birds 

 healthy and strong, but we always very much prefer our 

 own birds for stock. They are imported straight from the 

 Continent. 



We have separate keepers for pheasants and partridges, 

 the same man does not look after both. Our best beat is 

 rather over 1000 acres. On it we have one beat man, and 

 a man and a boy with him, but of course this probably 

 would not be necessary in many counties ; but as we are 

 in the middle of a colliery district, we must have plenty 

 of men to do the watching. 



Foxes. A fair number, but not troubled very much by 

 them, as on the side of the best partridge beat it is not 

 hunted, and therefore any litters found on that part of 

 the estate are moved. 



Vermin. Worst enemies rats and stoats. Owls and 

 kestrels not bad for partridges. Hedgehogs are bad egg- 

 stealers. 



Hares. Too many are bad on a partridge beat, as they 

 are continually running in the hedgerows and disturbing 

 nests. Pheasants not desirable, as they often lay in 

 partridge nests, and the length of incubation for pheasant 

 and partridge eggs is not the same. French partridges 

 do not do well on cultivated ground, and also do not 

 become sufficiently numerous to do any harm. They do 

 better on rough heavy land. They are good birds for 

 driving. 



