1 63 Partridges. 



then given their liberty, or the pens are removed with the 

 broods to such rearing-places as may be decided upon. 

 The former practice possesses the advantage in some 

 respects, but it is not always convenient or advisable to 

 give so many broods their liberty at one centre, and distri- 

 bution of them over the manor is inevitable. Where the 

 latter course is necessary, the old birds must be caught up 

 at night in small flat baskets with side doors, specially 

 provided for the purpose. Round ones are best, about 

 i Sin. diameter, 6in. high, and fitted or lined with a canvas 

 bottom. The pair of old birds are placed in the basket, 

 and the chicks in a carrying-box, as described for 

 pheasants. The pens having been carried to their new 

 position, the basket with the old birds is placed within 

 it, and the chicks are carefully introduced. The door is 

 then left open, and the old birds and brood will be found 

 settled down again when next morning arrives. Some 

 suitable meal should be thrown down for the young chicks, 

 and food and water provided for the parent birds. Dis- 

 cretion should be exercised as to when the birds are 

 given full liberty after removal to their new quarters, 

 according to how the parent birds show themselves, 

 the class of ground they are placed upon, and, conse- 

 quently, the amount of natural food available. In any 

 case the fourth day will be quite long enough to keep them 

 confined, and either upon the morning of that day or 

 sooner the pen should be opened and the birds invited to 

 take their liberty. It may be, but is not very likely, that 

 they may return for one or two nights to the pen, but there 

 is nothing gained by leaving it for them after once it is 

 opened. Practically the same course of procedure applies 

 to the pens when left alongside the main enclosure, and as 

 soon as the first of the nests which are being brooded within 

 the latter is hatched off, one or more of the openings about 



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