Protecting Nests and Sitting Birds. \ 5 



diffused around. When this is suspected a 

 keen-nosed retriever, or, better still, setter, will 

 prove of the greatest use. The keeper should 

 pass close by the nest with the dog at heel, and 

 watch for the slightest manifestation that it scents 

 game ; should a dog smell the bird a fox is certain 

 to do so. There are keepers intent on doing their I 

 best who never feel satisfied that a nest is ' 

 properly protected and the scent of the sitting 

 bird drowned till a setter has passed and re- 

 passed without detecting it. 



A writer in "Country Life" some time ago 

 advocated putting down a few yards of wire 

 netting, extending at right angles from the fence 

 both above and below a nest, this having the 

 effect of turning a fox out of its course and away 

 from the vicinity of the nest. Such a plan is 

 hardly practicable in a field containing horses or 

 cattle, and would be sure to cause trouble. 



If a nest is near the outside of a wide fence, or 

 the centre of a narrow one, it is an excellent plan 

 to implant a few bushes so that the hedge at this 

 point is made wider and thicker ; then passing 

 dogs and foxes are kept at a greater distance. 

 These bushes may be added one or two at a time 

 when the bird has been sitting ten days or so, as 

 she will not then readily take offence. There is 



