214 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



same food that is given to young pheasants may be 

 provided for them, but grain should in no case be given, 

 unless first soaked and crushed." 



The coops for artificially fed partridgesarebestplaced 

 in fields where the grass has been cut. The young 

 chicks are then able to take advantage of the new grass 

 as it grows. The coops should be moved daily, so as 

 to ensure a new feeding-ground, with its potentialities of 

 grass and insect life. A supply of water is necessary for 

 all partridges, whether artificially reared or in a wild state, 

 and it is as well, in a great drought, to distribute small 

 drinking-troughs over the estate. In this way the lives 

 of many young or even old partridges have been saved. 



In making these remarks on the artificial rearing 

 of partridges, it is only necessary to add that it is much 

 more important that the keeper should give his time and 

 sense to the careful watching and protecting of the wild 

 birds in the nesting season, than that he should be con- 

 cerned in the processes above described. Very few 

 sportsmen go in for artificial rearing, and it is practi- 

 cally unknown in Scotland. 



It is not intended in this volume to attempt to de- 

 scribe the various methods of hand-rearing partridges. 

 The French or Continental is the principal one, the 

 others being modifications to suit the surroundings and 

 climate. The advantage of more natural surroundings, 

 and the use of the parent birds, is undoubtedly of great 

 value. The subject is one which will require a small 

 book to itself, and we would advise those intending 



