146 STORIES OF BIRD LIFE 



nut field, which was being well rooted by the fattening 

 hogs, when they became aware that they were being 

 watched. With a warning cry the father bird ran, followed 

 quickly by the others. When they were well in line run- 

 ning down a furrow near the fence there was a loud 

 ' ' bang, ' ' and three of their number died in a great agony 

 of fluttering. 



It was unsportsmanlike, this shot of the farmer's son. 

 Some men would not have fired until the birds had taken 

 wing, thus giving them at least a chance for their lives. 

 But this hunter secured partridge meat by his course and 

 that was what he wanted. From this time on a more dili- 

 gent watch was kept for men with guns. 



Lured one bright day by the number of peas to be found 

 in the upper end of the field, the flock wandered farther 

 than was their custom. In the midst of their feeding a low 

 warning note from one of their number indicated danger. 

 No running this time. Up and away they sped with light- 

 ning-like rapidity. Whither, they did not stop to con- 

 sider, their one desire being to escape. ^^Bang, bang,'' 

 sounded the gun, but every bird kept straight on. Over 

 the garden fence they went. The farmhouse had recently 

 been repainted. Whether its white sides deceived them, 

 or whether being blinded by the sunlight they saw not 

 their danger, it would probably be difficult to explain, but 



