204 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



selves much inside it, and any little alteration, such as an 

 extra strand of wire along the top, will make them sus- 

 picious of a trap, and in all likelihood keep them out 

 altogether." 



It seems necessary to point out here, what seems to 

 have been omitted by most authorities, that the cover 

 must no more be allowed to take care of itself than 

 heather on a moor. It will require from time to time 

 judicious pruning, supplanting, and replanting, so as to 

 maintain its value as a feeding and rearing-ground. It 

 is not necessary to add, after the observations we have 

 made, that, in this consideration at least, rabbits and 

 hares must come under the category of vermin and be 

 treated accordingly. 



The question of expense will naturally arise in deal- 

 ing with this matter of sufficient cover for partridges. 

 In many cases the owner will be satisfied with a con- 

 siderable improvement of the existing cover, in fewer 

 cases he will be prepared to meet the outlay necessary 

 for the planting of new ground, and where expense is 

 no object he may advocate the laying out of sanctuaries 

 or preserves. These may be as elaborate as the covers 

 at Sandringham, or may simply consist of stretches of 

 corn or rye plantation preserved in the midst of other 

 cover for the special use of the partridge. 



2 and 3. The Careful Watching of Nests and Eggs 

 and Artificial Rearing 



We have already laid down the ideal principle for 



