VERMIN 203 



proof of guilt. There is no difficulty in 

 finding out what owls have been eating ; 

 a very slight examination of the pelts 

 dropped under their roosting places gives 

 an infallible resume of their diet. 



The poaching dog cannot rightly be 

 classed as vermin, nor indeed can he 

 be legislated for as such by our court. 

 At the same time stray dogs are the very 

 mischief, and their disappearance is all to 

 the interests of the shoot. 



Poultry on the stubbles are another 

 adverse influence ; they usurp the territory 

 and the food of the partridge, foul the 

 ground, and are by no means above 

 suspicion as agents in spreading disease. 

 When a new lease is being drawn, the 

 interests of the partridge should be con- 

 sidered in this respect, and some restric- 

 tions placed on this rapidly spreading 

 practice of chicken-farming. 



In summing up we would classify the 

 enemies real or supposed of the part- 

 ridge in this country as follows : 



