MODERN FARRIEll. 555 



engage the attention of the sportsman, by fluttering 

 before him a few yards at a time, as if wounded, 

 and thus draws him in the eagernesss of pursuit, to 

 a sufficient distance from his young ; after which, 

 when all danger is over, the call of the female directs 

 him to her retreat. In the absence of the cock, the 

 hen will take this part upon herself. Of this an 

 interesting example is found in White's Naturalist's 

 Calendar. 



' A hen partridge came out of a ditch, and ran 

 along, shivering with her wings, and crying out as 

 if wounded, and unable to get from us. While the 

 dam acted this distress, the boy who attended me 

 saw her brood, that was small and unable to fly, run 

 for shelter into an old fox-earth vmder the bank.' 



When the corn is cut, partridges generally resort 

 in the day time to groves and covers, to be out of 

 the reach of birds of prey ; but at night the dread of 

 foxes, weazels, and other small wild quadrupeds that 

 haunt these sheltered places, drives them to the open 

 stubble, in the middle of which they nestle together, 

 and spend the hours of darkness. 



In partridge shooting, both pointers and setters 

 are used ; but in a rough country, or where game is 

 scarce, setters are preferable : in an open country, 

 and where partridges abound, pointers are, perhaps, 

 equal to setters; and two staunch dogs will be found 

 sufficient. 



The best time for this amusement is from two 

 hours after sunrise until twelve o'clock, and from 

 half past two or three o'clock until dark. When 

 the weather is very dry, especially at the beginning 

 of the season, and the scent, according to the sport- 

 ing phrase, sinks, the dogs' abilities will be put to 

 the test to no purpose. In the middle of the day, 

 partridges cease to feed or run, and generally place 

 themselves by the side of a bank, to enjoy the heat 

 of the sun. They generally feed and sleep in sepa- 

 rate places : but though they often change their 



