222 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



softly veiled in mist ; with hedges strung all over 

 with gossamer, whose every thread glitters with 

 reflected light. Perhaps, there is no picture in one's 

 whole mental gallery so delightful as that of which 

 the partridge forms the central object. 



Happily, as yet there is no boom on this shooting, 

 as there is on that of grouse. It does not belong 

 to the Highlands, and that is sufficient. The 

 general public seldom hear about it. It is not ob- 

 trusively made known. The records of the " First " 

 in the daily newspapers do not appear in the same 

 large type, or occupy the same generous space as 

 those of the " Twelfth." The sensational bags are 

 discussed only by the interested few ; they do not 

 serve as advertisements. There is no spirited 

 competition among those, who may have no other 

 qualification than money to tempt, it may be, a poor 

 landlord from the path of self-respect. There is a 

 remaining trace of modesty about the whole thing. 

 It is still, in a degree, the sport of gentlemen. 

 Long may it remain so. For one thing, the scene 

 is too near the house, where a foreign element 

 might disturb the family ; and, being among fields, 

 it often involves the good understanding between 

 landlord and tenant. 



On many estates, shooting is still over dogs. 



