BRITISH GAME-BIRDS. 209 



between their legs, they eject the acid into the 

 wound their strong pincers have made. Thou- 

 sands of the creatures can be seen, raised up on 

 their legs, their bodies bent underneath and for- 

 wards, spraying formic acid in all directions. If 

 you place your hand over the great hollow in the 

 heap, it will get finely covered with it. I have been 

 bitten by wood-ants, and have had to bear it, but 

 it was a sore experience. No notice is taken of 

 what a keeper or his lad may say when under 

 punishment from ant-bites ; they had need be foj- 

 given if they use improper words to the grind- 

 stone, after they have come home from ant-egg 

 getting. 



These'heaps are harried for the home-bred birds 

 that is, home and hand fed ones, both pheasants and 

 partridges, hatched out by small game-hens game- 

 fowl kept specially for that purpose from the eggs 

 that have been taken from the outlying nests. 

 Other strains of the domestic fowl are used, but 

 the game - hens are the favourite foster - parents. 

 When the birds are fed with the eggs, as many 

 of the ants as it is possible to get rid of are kept 

 out, but some are sure to be mixed up with the 



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