158 THE PARTRIDGE 



grass, the rabbits and the hares moved hither 

 and thither ; and the partridges, their alarm 

 increased as they observed the signs of general 

 panic and were hustled by their neighbours, 

 often made rash efiorts to escape, but were as 

 often deterred by the confusing noise about 

 them. At last, when from any point in the 

 undergrowth the movements of the mower could 

 be clearly seen along the swathe, the hare and 

 her leverets limped ofi towards the hedge, and 

 the rabbits scattered and fled at utmost speed 

 to their burrows. Terror-stricken, the partridge 

 brood ran out and crouched at the edge of the 

 grass, hoping that there they would escape the 

 impending danger. In the nick of time the 

 farmer, bending over the side of the mowing 

 machine, caught sight of a shining eye, and 

 stopped his horse. Hastening into the tall grass 

 behind the covey, he waved his arms and shouted 

 loudly ; then, as the old partridges flew out and 

 ahghted on the swathes a few yards distant, 

 and the young birds, with drooping wings, 

 scuttled away to join their parents, he muttered, 

 in his dehberate, self -convincing manner, ''' If 

 I'm not too busy when September comes, that 

 lot o' birds'll give some fun. Maybe Til get the 

 loan of a setter in the village ; but if I don't, 

 the gentleman at the big house 11 be sure to let 

 me shoot over his slow old spaniel for a day.'' 



