lo Game and Foxes. 



of eggs through poaching have before now been 

 ascribed to foxes. 



The best way of protecting nests when the 

 hatching period does arrive must now be con- 

 sidered, and as all partridges bring off their 

 chicks from first nests within a few days of each 

 other, the keeper in charge will have a rather 

 busy time. There is much to be said for the 

 tainting fluids now so generally used for sprinkling - 

 round nests, from asafoetida to gas-tar, and 

 especially for the best and most effective of all 

 \ which is sold under the name of " Renardine." 

 This was the first on the market, and still retains 

 its position of superiority. It possesses a vile, 

 tenacious odour : so much so that, to employ an 

 Americanism, "it grabs the atmosphere and 

 monopolises it to the extinction of all other 

 smells." Its efficacy rests in the fact that the 

 scent of a sitting bird (if any exists) is drowned ; 

 a passing fox can never detect her presence by 

 aid of nose alone, and it is on this organ he 

 principally relies. Should a fox see her no 

 tainting fluid in the world will prevent his trying 

 to seize her; but the chances of this occurring 

 are very remote. The bird on the nest does not 

 object in the least to the offensive odour of the 

 fluid, for a desertion owinor to it has never been 



