54 



Game and Foxes. 



n 



dry and of light soil, as dust for sitting birds is 

 most necessary. If they are not able to take a 

 dust-bath on leaving the nest vermin increase on 

 them to a great extent, owing to the birds' long 

 inaction while incubating. It is the dusting accom- 

 modation w^hich largely influences a partridge in 

 selecting a site for her nest, and this explains her 

 partiality for a roadside fence. 



A tall, thick fence or belt of trees should be on 

 the north side, and along this the partridge covert 

 should be planted in one big strip from forty to 

 fifty feet wide. A square block may be preferable yj^^ 

 for yielding cover from which to shoot the coveys, 

 but as partridges like to nest a few feet in from 

 the edge, a narrow strip is best when nesting 

 accommodation is the end for which the covert 

 has been provided. 



The ground intended for the covert should be in 

 good condition, and must be ploughed and sown 

 barley or wheat in the ordinary way. When the 

 crop is up, and has been hoed, broom-seed 

 may be drilled with it. Do not harvest the corn, 

 but allow it to stand and be consumed by the 

 game, as the straw will protect the broom during 

 the first winter, when it often suffers a good deal 

 from frost if devoid of shelter. Rabbits and hares 1 

 must be strictly excluded, particularly the former, j 



