METHODS OF PRESERVATION OF PARTRIDGES 257 



season than I have usually commenced with. Of course we 

 are largely dependent on fine weather at the time of hatching, 

 and have been very lucky the last two years. If the fortune 

 continues this year, I expect to nearly double my bag of last 

 year. I have probably given you some information of which 

 you are already quite aware. If I have neglected any point, 

 I shall be glad to write you further; or if you would like to 

 communicate with Mr. Bell, Gordonstoun, Elgin, N.B., my head 

 keeper, he would doubtless be able to make clear certain points 

 that do not strike me at present. I may mention that I have 

 taken almost entirely to driving birds a system rarely, if ever, 

 adopted on many estates elsewhere in the neighbourhood 

 hitherto, and with marked success within a sporting view, and 

 as regards result of the day. But we have much to learn in 

 this respect, and I think a little more experience would have 

 been beneficial in many ways. 



" My Hungarians are supplied by Major C. Ker Fox, and 

 have always turned up in good condition ; any found dead or 

 weakly on arrival, he readily replaces. I have shot Hungarian 

 birds in their own country, and never thought I could detect 

 any difference between them and our own : last year's batch, 

 however, were much redder in colour than any I have previously 

 seen. Yours very faithfully, 



"(Signed) W. GORDON GUMMING" 



" GORDONSTOUN, ELGIN 



"Sept. 2C)th, 1906 

 " G. T. TEASDALE-BUCKELL, Esq. 



" SIR, As regards our method of increasing partridges, 

 I will try and explain, and answer your questions as well as I 

 can. I have no hesitation in saying to get up a large stock 

 our system is the best. I say this after many years' experience 

 with partridges. 



"i. Do I pick up first-laid eggs? No, unless she lays 

 more than 24, then I reserve them for another nest ; sometimes 

 I allow them 26, not more. 



" 2. Yes, she would lay again ; but I believe strongly in 

 early chicks. [This is an answer to a question as to whether 

 the hen would lay again after beginning to sit. The Author.] 



" 3. I don't take them gradually, or at any time, unless they 

 lay 30 or 40, as they sometimes do ; then I take them after they 

 have laid 24, or not until they sit or brood. 



"4. Our success this season (1906) is almost 19 to the brood. 



