108 ON THE WING. 



diately adjacent to the stubble was a body of open 

 woodland, in which Mr. Wilson was several hours 

 engaged in his usual ardent study into the habits and 

 manners of a number of small birds sporting in it. 

 On our return home we crossed the stubble directly 

 past the spot where the partridges had been hunted 

 by the sportsman. As we approached it, a bird flew 

 up, and soon another and another until five went off. 

 I expressed my surprise to Mr. Wilson, who dismissed 

 the matter by supposing that the stronger scent from 

 the feet of so many men had transcended that of the 

 birds, and bewildered the dogs." 



"In October, 1824, I became assured of the truth of 

 my doctrine. I was then in company with five gentle- 

 men, in a fine partridge country. We had eleven dogs 

 (setters and pointers) of approved value." 



" The party concluded to range a field or two before 

 breakfast ; but I did not go out with them. I soon 

 heard rapid firing in a new cleared ground in sight of 

 the tavern house. I hurried to join them. There 

 was a small meadow-land and a little brook interven- 

 ing between us. On the margin of this meadow stood 

 a large pine stump, covered with running dewberry 

 vines, and surrounded by small oak-shrubs. I was 

 within sixty yards of it, and parallel to it, when two 

 partridges came directly towards me across the 

 meadow. Having but one barrel charged, I fired 

 upon the nearest bird, and killed it. The other made 

 a sudden dart from its line, and took refuge among 

 the shrubs and Driers about the stump. I had my 

 favorite dog, and a very valuable pointer-bitch with 



