187 Partridges. 



protecting the nests of the wild-nesting birds, a greater 

 measure of success would accrue than is likely with this 

 application of the Euston system. 



What is infinitely easier and far more effective is to 

 seek out all partridge nests, as is necessary for bushing 

 purposes already, and wherever it be possible, to place 

 a circle of 4in.-mesh wire-netting the ordinary sheep- 

 netting round the nest at a distance of from 5ft. to 6ft. 

 from it ; 3ft. to 4ft. is sufficiently high, and the 

 wire should be fitted round the nest when the bird com- 

 mences laying. The hen partridge will, if undisturbed, 

 pass in and out through the wire without any compunction ; 

 but in almost every instance neither passing dog nor fox 

 will go within the limits of the circle of wire-netting. As 

 against this plan, however, is the fact that where egg- 

 stealing goes on, the poacher has a good mark to guide him 

 to his loot. 



The fact that the cock partridge will prove as good a 

 mother to the brood as the hen herself, should anything 

 happen to her, is sometimes taken advantage of by keepers 

 hand-rearing partridges under the modified Continental 

 system. Instead of trusting them to a foster-hen, they 

 allot some of the penned cocks to broods so hatched, and 

 it is found that the cock partridge will take to them and 

 rear them as well and as wildly as a hen-bird, and that the 

 packing of the broods is so avoided. This is an interest- 

 ing and instructive practice which might be more largely 

 worked when partridges are reared from penned birds, 

 and where there may be a surplus of eggs. 



