THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



ble to control, and the babies can be given bet- 

 ter care; moreover, depleting the nest cheats 

 the birds into laying more eggs, before desir- 

 ing to set. Our rule is not to take any eggs 

 until the nest contains three. After that each 

 extra one is purloined, up to the thirteenth, 

 which gives us ten from each bird as a rule. 

 But birds vary; some will commence to set 

 even on three eggs, though it doesn't happen 

 often. It is not safe to be seen interfering 

 with the nests, so the thief should make the 

 raid whilst the birds are being given their 

 evening meal. 



Always feed at the same place in the in- 

 closure, use the same call, or whistle, and they 

 will soon become as tame and responsive as 

 poultry. The eggs are laid, pointed end down- 

 ward, in a tray of bran, and turned every day 

 until set. 



We use boxes 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 

 15 inches deep, with a lid made of wire net- 

 ting, in which to set hens in charge of game 

 eggs nest-boxes a foot square, carpeted with 



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