246 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



grass in which the nest may be situated, for any 

 such measures but too clearly indicate its posi- 

 tion, and should it escape the poachers, the 

 crows would speedily make a raid upon it. 

 The partridge has more enemies than friends, 

 and, all things considered, it is surprising that 

 so many broods arrive at maturity. A friend of 

 mine has noticed for several years past that 

 partridges, during the time they are preparing to 

 pair, appear never to feed. There is, in front of his 

 house, a hillside, to which at that period partridges 

 resort in considerable numbers, and he has ob- 

 served them in this situation for several consecu- 

 tive days, evidently very much occupied in the 

 selection of their mates, but never feeding, as at 

 other times. 



Partridges have been frequently known to make 

 their nests in the most unlikely places, and I 

 myself remember to have been shown a spot 

 under one of the sleepers of the Great Western 

 Railway, near Shrivenham Station, in which a 

 partridge laid her eggs and successfully hatched 

 them, despite the fact that many trains, the Flying- 

 Dutchman being one of them, ran daily over the 

 place. 



It is much to be desired that the red-legged or 

 French partridge would take its departure from 

 this country, for, beautiful as is its plumage, 

 it is a bird which is most detrimental to sport, 

 and, being both powerful and pugnacious, is able 

 to inflict serious damage on our own much- 



