THE MOUXTAIX PARTRIDGE. 29 



stones, and that poachers sometimes adopt this plan, 

 when endeavouring to net partridges daring the day. 

 I can readily conceive this artifice might prove fatal 

 to the covey.* 



There has been recently much difference of opinion 

 whether the mountain partridge is a distinct species 

 from the common grey. It appears by a letter from 

 a gentleman, signed " An Old Salmon Fisher," in 

 the " Field " newspaper, that the Perdix montana or 

 mountain partridge is classed by Latham as a distinct 

 species and by Temminck as a variety. I have not 

 read the works of these ornithologists, but I suppose 

 that the authorities above quoted are sufficient proofs 

 that the mountain partridge is a distinct species. I 

 have never met with them, although I have shot 

 partridges in various elevated countries ; it is well 

 known that climate and food will occasion some change 

 in the plumage and size of the bird. 



I particularly recommend gentlemen who preserve 

 game not to be niggardly towards the farmers, whether 

 their tenants or not. A liberal supply of game, a hare, 

 and a brace of birds will make ample atonement for the 

 peccadilloes you may have been guilty of in pursuing 

 your game in their standing barley. If the farmer keeps 

 greyhounds then give him a leash of birds. As cours- 

 ing is his field amusement, he may habitually feel 

 annoyed at your shooting hares, and it is not doing as 

 you would be done by to destroy them on his farm. 



* My grandson saw two gentlemen shooting in Huntingdonshii-e, and 

 as the partridges were very wild, they employed a man to fly one of 

 these paper kites in the shape of a hawk, which had the eiFeet of making 

 the birds lie well. 



