HIDDEN NESTS 81 



And there is no dense canopy of leaves to shut out 

 the sun that is so loved by the sitting birds. 



Much underwood remains in the long drifts where 

 it was laid after cutting until well on in May, and 



even into June. The keeper may search care - 

 Hidden fully, but unless the rows are very narrow 



and thin he can hope to find only a few of 

 the many nests they shelter. Especially difficult 

 is it to find the partridge nests. The finding 

 is almost as much a matter of luck as of skill, for 

 the eggs are covered completely by the birds with a 

 drab quilt of leaves, perfectly matching the surround- 

 ings. The eggs of pheasants, too, though the birds 

 seldom cover them, are often hidden through the 

 play of the leaves in the wind. Even should a bird 

 be sitting on her nest, she is not easily found unless 

 the keeper catches the glint of her dark eye. Her 

 feathers are merely one shade more in the prevailing 

 blends of brown. The woodworker, keeping the most 

 careful watch for nests, often does not see the sitting 

 bird until he strips the underwood from her very back. 



Between the gamekeeper and copsers in his woods 

 there is an unwritten agreement, making for the 

 good of all. The workers take heed and 

 care of the game-nests, and the keeper sees 



F 



