Practical Game-Preserving. 5 8 



which is quite close enough quarters, and one which may 

 very well be exceeded if the conditions permit. In fact, 

 upon preserves where the circumstances obtaining do not 

 allow of the broods being removed, or, anyhow, a portion 

 of them, at an early age, it will be necessary to provide 

 more ground per brood than is here specified. Upon some 

 preserves it is the practice, and a very good one too, 

 where possible, to remove the more forward broods from 

 the rearing-field proper in batches, and at regular stages, 

 towards the coverts they are intended to occupy. This 

 system is, however, only feasible when the preserve 

 is of park-like nature, and it is possible to maintain 

 constant watch over them and be assured of their 

 freedom from interference by farm beasts or vermin of 

 whatever description. I do not mention this as an alterna- 

 tive system, but a practice that may be resorted to when 

 the rearing-ground accommodation is perforce limited. 



When the time comes for the rearing-ground to be 

 prepared for the reception of the young chicks, it will be 

 necessary to mow such portions of it as shall be destined 

 for the coops and as running-ground for the young birds. 

 The exact manner in which it is best to regulate this must 

 depend upon the configuration of the ground ; but inasmuch 

 as each rearing-field will, if combining the desiderata 

 referred to above, possess a general slope towards the 

 south, so spaces should be cut across it from roughly 

 speaking east to west of a width of from iaft. to i5ft. 

 or more. At intervals of twice this distance, cuts about 

 6ft. to 9ft. in width should be made at right angles to the 

 other paths. The resulting grass must be removed from 

 the ground. 



The coops and runs where the latter are employed 

 will then be set out upon the mown spaces at regular 

 distances, ready for the reception of the newly-hatched 



