374 RURAL SPORTS. [PART tr. 



to each other and re-assemble ; they roost all 

 together in a round ring, as close as they can 

 sit, the tails inward and the heads outward ; 

 and are, in short, in all their manners, precisely 

 the same as the English partridge, with this 

 exception, that they will sometimes alight on a 

 rail or a. bough, and that, when the hen sits, 

 the cock, perched at a little distance, makes a 

 sort of periodical whistle, in a monotonous, but 

 very soft and sweet tone. 



381. The size of the pheasant is about the 

 half of that of the English. The plumage is by 

 no means so beautiful ; but, the flesh is far 

 more delicate. The size of the partridge bears 

 about the same proportion. But its plumage 

 is more beautiful than that of the English, and 

 its flesh is more delicate. Both are delightful, 

 though rather difficult, shooting. The pheasant 

 does not tower, but darts through the trees; 

 and the partridge does not rise boldly, but 

 darts away at no great height from the ground. 

 Some years they are more abundant than other 

 years. This is an abundant year. There are, 

 perhaps, fifty coveys within half a mile of my 

 house. 



382. The wood-cocks are, in all respects, like 

 those in England, except that they are only 

 about three-fifths of the size. They breed here ; 

 and are in such numbers, that some men kill 



