Practical Game-Preserving. 



sufficient quantities is calculated to rehabilitate the 

 preserve largely by the next season, and probably a better 

 effect is produced than if native birds were obtained and 

 put down, or attempts were spasmodically made to achieve 

 the same result by hand-rearing or by making an effort 

 upon the lines of the Continental system of partridge- 

 raising an important subject which must now command 

 attention. 



In dealing with what is known as the French or Con- 

 tinental system of partridge-rearing, it is necessary to point 

 out that the original system has been very largely modified 

 and altered. At the same time the principle remains 

 largely the same. If, therefore, it be succinctly described 

 as in its mainly original form it will serve as a basis upon 

 which to found adaptations of it to British requirements 

 adaptations, moreover, which have served to increase the 

 effectiveness and usefulness of the original plan. 



The main object of the system is to increase the pos 

 sibilities for successfully hand-rearing partridges, and at 

 the same time to maintain the parent birds under condi- 

 tions calculated, with ordinarily good fortune, to ensure 

 prolific mating. Under this system, too, effort is made 

 to imitate natural surroundings and habits as much 

 as possible. To this end, numbers of pairs of birds are 

 confined in a combination of pens, placed in such a situa- 

 tion upon the preserve as shall ensure an abundance of 

 cover of the description affected by partridges such 

 as one finds in the rougher districts. The arrangement 

 consists of one main pen or aviary, circular in form, and 

 calculated to accommodate from, say, twenty to a hundred 

 birds, according to the circumstances influencing this point. 

 Substantially constructed of fine-mesh wire netting, set up 

 on standards about 9ft. high, and covered with small 

 bird-proof twine netting, supported where necessary, this 



