Northern Observations of Inland Birds 155 



state, so that an enemy springing into their midst could 

 kill or wound several of them, but they arrange them- 

 selves in a wide circle, each bird several feet from its 

 fellows, so that, at the worst, not more than one of them 

 would fall to a surprise attack, the others hearing and 

 taking flight ere the raider could make i second pounce. 

 Their manner, if disturbed after dark, is interesting. 

 They rise and scatter in all directions, so that for a moment 

 or so one seems to be literally surrounded by a wild 

 burring of wings, but above the general hubbub one hears 

 the commanding ** creek-creek '' of the leader, and 

 listening intently one hears the general burr of wings 

 converging in the direction he has taken. 



As regards partridges roosting in a bunch, it may be 

 added that this habit is peculiar to cold, snowy snaps, 

 when a covey comprising fourteen or fifteen birds might 

 sometimes be covered with a kitchen tray, huddling 

 closely together for warmth. 



Partridges feed in the early morning and in the after- 

 noon, and w^hen in pursuit of them it is a great advantage 

 to possess some knowledge of the country, and of the 

 habits of the birds. Their choice of surroundings during 

 the various hours of the day depends a good deal on the 

 nature of the country and upon the immediate weather 

 conditions. At midday, during hot weather, I have known 

 all the birds to be in the roots and potato fields, which 

 afforded them shelter from the sun. Also at such times 

 I have shot them at woodland edges, or even deep in 

 the woods, where one most expected to find woodcock. 

 It is a good plan on discovering a place at which the 

 birds sun and dust themselves to make a mental note of 

 it, for, if it can be secretly approached, one is very likely 

 to find the birds there during the heat of the day. The 

 most usually adopted plan, however, is to walk up the 

 stubble and other feeding ground during the early 



