Practical Game-Preserving. 186 



desert it, nest again that season. It may be, but it 

 is not always the case, that if before a partridge has 

 ceased laying that particular nest be disturbed, causing 

 desertion, or be destroyed, the bird will nest again; 

 but this is all that can be counted on. It is necessary to 

 make these facts clear, because so much depends upon the 

 successful mating and brooding of the partridges upon the 

 average preserve, and if by reason of an unfavourable 

 season anything occurs seriously to interfere with it, there 

 is no possibility, except from outside sources, of rehabili- 

 tating the preserve until the second year following. It is 

 under these circumstances that the Continental system 

 proves its value, and that resort may be made with much 

 advantage to the introduction of Hungarian birds upon the 

 manor depleted of breeding- stock. 



What is generally spoken of as the Euston system is also 

 applied to partridge-rearing where and when the chances 

 of losing whole clutches by stray dogs, foxes, and other 

 vermin are somewhat pronounced. In connection with 

 partridges, the nests are sought out and the eggs taken as 

 they are laid, the actual ones being replaced by artificial 

 substitutes or by rotten or unfertile ones, until such time as 

 the partridge broods, when the eggs are simultaneously 

 placed under hens, which sit on them until incubation is 

 about to be completed, when they are replaced under the 

 hen game-birds, the dummy eggs being removed. The 

 eggs are then speedily hatched off and wild-reared. 



There may or may not be a great deal to recommend this 

 system; but it is certainly one which the ordinary game- 

 keeper does not take to kindly, and personally I doubt 

 whether it be at all suited for general or even partial 

 adoption with success. The time consumed and labour 

 expended in prosecuting it are alike excessive, and I am 

 convinced that if greater attention and care were given to 



