Practical Game-Preserving. 176 



as the guide. Generally speaking, it may be said that 

 partridges in winter will be in search of food, as a rule? 

 very shortly after daylight, and again an hour or two 

 before sundown; but in view of the fact mentioned, that 

 they stick very closely to cover during severe and stormy 

 weather, a break in the condition of the elements, if of 

 any promised or likely duration, will also offer them the 

 opportunity for which they have been waiting. 



Of course care should be taken as far as possible to see 

 that the food is actually consumed by the game-birds it is 

 intended for, or that they at least secure their fair share 

 of it. Naturally, if other birds are scared away, the 

 partridges are as likely as not to disappear with them; 

 consequently, it may be necessary at times to feed the 

 other birds too. 



The feeding of partridges under the French system) 

 whether in the main enclosure or in the separate pens 

 movable or otherwise must also command some attention, 

 although this portion of the subject has been dealt with 

 already to some extent. It will, however, only be neces- 

 sary to make reference to one or two points. Birds 

 penned in the main enclosure require a certain amount of 

 meat to replace the insect-food which, under the circum- 

 stances, will be absent, and, according to the capabilities 

 of the ground upon which the enclosure is situated, so 

 will green food have to be supplied in small or large 

 quantities. When such is the case, it is best to mix it 

 up in a finely-chopped condition with the grain given 

 them, feeding it to the birds in shallow pans. The grain 

 best suited to penned birds will be wheat, dari, and buck- 

 wheat, with a little canary- or hemp-seed from time to 

 time. Maize may be given also in moderate quantities ; 

 but in any case the diet should be varied as much as 

 possible from day to day, or every two or three days. 



