COUNTRY LIFE I Am told that a lecturer in economics
at Oxford used as an example of a "vertical trust" the action of the I.C.I. which set up a partridge-farm on the argument that the target, as well as the explosive, was of crucial importance. Now this particular farm, recently enlarged and transferred to Hampshire, and directed by one of the very best of our ornithologists, has been of no small service and interest to students of birds in general, whether they fire a gun off or not. It has discovered, for example, what is the ideal size of a clutch, what is the bird's favourite food at what time of year, and what are its worst enemies and how their attacks may be best counteracted. " Displaced " partridges have been imported from many countries in the North and East, and their fitness and little differ- ences tested. This year's verdict on the partridge population seems to be very different "from my own very local experience. Almost daily I flush very large coveys very strong on the wing ; but surrounding sports- men report one of the worst years they have known. The failure is attributed to weather and disease rather than to the multiplication of such enemies as have decimated the grouse. Nevertheless, "the First" is likely to be much more widely celebrated than was the Twelfth.
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