24 EEMINISCEXCES OF A SPORTSMAN. 



have chosen this curious place for her nest, is, that a 

 stile and a path were under the tree, which led to the 

 discovery of the nest.* 



The remarks on scent, made by a gentleman in the 

 newspaper called " The Field," are very interesting ; as 

 it is evident he has taken great pains to elucidate this 

 mysterious subject. On some points I agree with him ; 

 but on others I still think there remains much obscurity. 

 He says that " the non-emission, and consequent non- 

 diffusion, of scent from a bird, either in concealment 

 under grass, heather, or rocks, or when sitting on eggs, 

 arises not from volition, or from any controlling power 

 over scent possessed by the bird, but from its peculiar 

 position, and from its motionless state, these being 

 adverse to the emission or diffusion of scent, except to 

 a ver}^ small extent, and within a very, circumscribed 

 compass." I really cannot acquiesce in this opinion, 

 for, from the experience of many years' shooting, I have 

 found birds concealed in every variety of ground, when 

 sometimes the scent was excellent, and consequently dogs 

 found the game with great facility ; and again, as I 

 before observed, with the wind in a favourable quarter, 

 the soil moist, and apparently everything in favour of a 

 good scent, and a bird accurately marked down in a 

 hedge, furze, or rough ground, to our great surprise, on 

 arriving at the spot, no bird was to be found by the dogs. 



* A farmer discovered a partridge sitting on its eggs in a grass field; the 

 bird allowed him to pass his hand frequently down its back without 

 moving or showing any fear, but if he offered to touch the eggs, the 

 poor bird immediately pecked his hand. Several persons went to see 

 the bird, and a friend of mine amongst others, who informed me of the 

 circumstance. — Jesse. 



