114 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS— PARTRIDGES 



ers, do much damage to the nesting quail, and when it 

 is desired to preserve them it is best to leave a stump 

 or two in the fields surrounded by long grass and 

 briers, and these will save many birds. The game- 

 keeper on a preserve should, of course, know where 

 each bird has its nest, and if in a field of grass or grain, 

 the farm implements may be driven around it, not too 

 close to disturb the mother bird. It is not difficult to 

 find the nests, since the cock-bird whistles daily from 

 a place quite near it. Partridges are especially fond of 

 buckwheat, and a small area of this grain planted and 

 left standing for their use will attract them to the 

 place. An old tree-top or open brush-heap, left in a 

 field, will afford shelter in the winter and a nesting- 

 place besides. But a few years ago no attention was 

 paid to these matters. They are not mentioned in our 

 books, but with the growth of game-preserving many 

 individuals and clubs are giving their attention to the 

 proper propagation of the game and its protection in 

 the winter. Hedges and the old rail fences are far 

 better for the partridges than the modern wire fences, 

 since they afford cover and protection on every side of 

 the field. Tall grasses, weeds, and briers allowed to 

 grow about the fences furnish not only protection to 

 the birds from their enemies the hawks, but afford 

 them food, both seeds and berries. An appie-tree here 

 and there, when the apples are allowed to remain upon 

 the ground, proves an additional attraction to the 

 birds, and there are many places now where the birds 

 are worth more than the fruit. 



Many partridges were formerly taken by traps and 

 nets. I have destroyed many of these when shooting 



