22 EEMINISCENCES OF A SPOETSMAN. 



and made them ready for the purpose ; which done, you 

 must draw in your circumference less and less, till you 

 come within the length of your net ; then pricking down 

 a stick about three feet in length, fasten one end of the 

 line of your net, and make it fast in the earth as you 

 walk about; then letting the net slip out of your hands, 

 spread it open as you go, and so carry and lay it all over 

 the partridges ; having so done, rush in upon them, who, 

 affrighted, will fly up and so be entangled in the nets." 

 Tunnelling partridges is a most destructive method 

 made use of by modern poachers. Having in the even- 

 ing sprung the covey, and marked the spot by a stick and 

 piece of white paper, the tunnel is then set down at 

 the spot where the birds jucked from, and to which they 

 are certain to return. They thus readily find, and drive 

 them with a horse under the net. To prevent this, take 

 some partridges from the outskirts of the manors, cut off 

 the bearing claws, and turn them out. They cannot then 

 run, and always spring ; if one bird springs, the rest of 

 the covey are sure to rise. This plan is perhaps the 

 best for defeating the havoc made by the tunnel-net. 

 The poachers themselves consider it as taking an unfair 

 advantage of them. There are some sportsmen that have 

 such a keen eye, that when the covey rises and the birds 

 are at their full growth, they are able to distinguish the 

 horse-shoe on the breast of the cock birds, and fire in 

 preference at them, to diminish their number. 



