Bums IN DROUGHT.
A really droughty drought is almost as hard for birds as a frost, indeed for many it is worse. The reason lies in the date. Partridges become in winter natural grazers. They feed on grass tips like geese or cattle, and flourish. But young birds are like Andrew Aguecheek, great eaters of meat, and it does harm to their health if they cannot get it. The very hardest time for partridges, in my experience, is a pre-harvest drought. To scratch the ground, except for dusting, is as vain as scratching a pavement. Creepy-crawly things are not to be found ; nor is there any spilth of grain to make up. And the young ground birds are great drinkers, as you may tell by looking at chickens. I am convinced that the need to give both meat and drink to the birds is more urgent at this date in this weather than at any other time, especially for game preservers.
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