196 SHOOTING THE PARTRIDGE 
This is not a wholesale accusation of English 
keepers, for often—I may say usually—there is no 
connivance on their part with poaching or robbery. 
But the average preservation of partridges has not 
kept pace with the increased numbers and advantages 
of the poacher, the egg-stealer, and the egg or game 
dealer. The indifference of the latter as to the source 
whence he procures his wares is sad, but hardly 
acrime. But the calm neglect with which the nests 
and eggs of partridges are treated in the nesting 
season, and the birds themselves during the shooting 
months, is, from a good partridge-keeper’s point of 
view, so culpable as to become almost criminal. A 
very little bushing, and that only in the grass-fields, 
appears in many places to be all that is thought 
necessary to preserve partridges. Often in such places 
you would find on enquiry that there is a deadly and 
perennial feud between the keepers on one side and 
the farmers and labourers on the other. 
What on earth can be expected under such con- 
ditions? Naturally, the stock of birds is almost 
always below the proper mark, and the owner is 
constantly disappointed. He finds that, however 
favourable the season, he can never get the bag that 
in spite of his neglect he is always hoping for. The 
birds and eggs are left, while the keepers are busy all 
