THE PARTRIDGE. 97 



made wild by previous hunting, lie well to the dogs and make but 

 short flights, and are consequently soon come up with again, and, 

 being scattered about in close proximity, can be picked off one by 

 one, without much trouble to the shooter. The old birds, on the 

 other hand, when hunted, often lie badly, are extremely cautious, 

 and run away from before the dog as soon as they observe his 

 approach; and when they spring they take immediately to the 

 thick cripples or disappear over the tops of the highest woods. 

 An old bird, when shot, will often carry off several pellets of lead 

 with him, if not struck in some vital part, and even with a broken 

 wing will frequently escape the pursuit of both huntsman and dog. 



BEST TO BREAK DOGS ON. 



The partridge, most unquestionably, is the finest bird we have 

 to break our dogs on ; and, being once broken to this kind of shoot- 

 ing, they can soon be taught to seek for any other kind of game, 

 such as woodcocks, snipes, or grouse. In hunting these birds, the 

 dog learns a degree of boldness as well as care that cannot be 

 acquired on any other kind of game, as none feed so widely, or 

 leave so long a trail of scent behind them, which the dog winds a 

 considerable distance off, and thus learns caution, ease, and deli- 

 cacy in approaching his victims, knowing full well, from sad ex- 

 perience, the chastisement that would follow any heedlessness or 

 undue precipitation on his part ; but rather 



"Against the ^10(1 he takes his prudent way, 

 While the strong gale directs him to the prey ; 

 Now the warm scent assures the covey near : 

 He treads with caution, and he points with fear." 



Gay : Rural Sports, 



COVEYS THAT WILL NOT LIE. 



It is seldom attended with much success to follow after coveys 

 that will not lie close, but are continually rising and flying straight 

 away at the least alarm. Such birds are sure to be either a travel- 

 ling party, or they have already been shot at a great deal too much 

 to afford any sport. The only likely way of getting a shot at 



