GROUSE AND PARTRIDGE 223 



Next to the partridge, Ponto is the chief figure ; 

 and where driving is resorted to, to tickle the 

 vanity of a proprietor, or to please the younger 

 guests, who may be shots without being sportsmen, 

 it is some satisfaction to feel that the " butts " are 

 usually ordinary fences, and not turf erections, 

 suggestive of a rifle range ; and the semi-circle of 

 louts, who herd the game on to the concealed 

 shooters, are genuine yokels, all savouring more or 

 less of the turnips. 



The partridge thrives best where the soil is 

 richest, and where the heather is at a distance. If 

 the stronghold of grouse is Scotland, and the 

 north of England ; that of partridge is England, 

 and the south of Scotland. 



Along the base of the hills, and the edge of the 

 moors is a neutral zone, where the grouse grows 

 large, and shows the lighter field-pencillings of the 

 partridge ; and where the partridge dwindles, and 

 darkens into the moorland hues of the grouse. 



There is a still more intimate intermingling and 

 exchange of shades, induced by crossing. The 

 comparative unfrequency with which this has been 

 detected, is largely due to the very slight over- 

 lapping of their distinct areas, and the comparative 

 narrowness of the band they occupy in common. 



