Practical Game-Preserving. 160 



another. It is not only necessary that the aviary should 

 contain some such cover within its limits, but it should also 

 be surrounded to some extent with similar growth, reach- 

 ing to some not inconsiderable distance from the aviary 

 upon all sides. The object of having the enclosure so 

 provided will be evident. 



According to the dimensions decided upon for the main 

 enclosure, one or more working doors must be provided, 

 and if it be considered necessary in any way, it should 

 furthermore be furnished with an i8in. high border of 

 galvanised sheet-iron, banked up on the inside with turfs 

 carrying a good rough growth. If, however, the conditions 

 be such that this protection against undue fright by poach- 

 ing dogs or foxes may be dispensed with, all the better. 



At intervals round the main enclosure movable pens 

 should be placed, adjusted to corresponding openings 

 (which may be closed by sliding doors) in the sides of 

 the former. These pens should be not less than 4ft. wide 

 by pft. long, and about 4ft. high, and are intended for the 

 use of sitting birds, and should also be provided with a 

 hinged door at the outer end. The position and number 

 of these sitting-pens may be regulated according to the 

 natural cover which they may be made to contain and the 

 quantity of birds put down in the main enclosure. 



Towards the close of the autumn, in October or 

 November, a sufficient quantity of partridges, in equal 

 numbers of cock and hen birds, are turned into the main 

 enclosure, the smaller pens being meanwhile shut off. 

 It is probably preferable to add one or two odd cock birds 

 to the stock turned away. These confined birds are care- 

 fully fed and looked after during the winter months, and 

 gradually accustomed to the conditions of semi- domestica- 

 tion under which they are confined, and also to the move- 

 ments of the keepers who have charge of them. Judiciously 



