222 SHOOTING THE PARTRIDGE 



where, in the coverts, more than once over 800 have 

 been killed in one day. 



SEPT. 1868 (4 </<yj) GEDLING 



Partridges Hares 



205 ..... 307 



97 ..... '59 

 160 ..... 167 

 203 ..... 134 



What would most modern farmers say to 300 

 hares killed in a day in the open fields ? 



Now Gedling is, I should say, every bit as good a 

 country for partridges as any of Lord Londesborough's 

 ground, and I think there is no doubt that, had 

 partridges been as much studied at the former as they 

 have been at the latter place, fewer hares would have 

 been kept, and the birds would have done better. 



Where farming is good there is always room for a 

 fair stock of hares, but too many of these creatures, 

 besides causing discontent among the tenants, dis- 

 turb and foul the ground required for birds, encourage 

 poachers and dogs, and, last but not least, are a great 

 nuisance out partridge-shooting. When walking up, 

 the dogs are constantly put off the scent of a winged 

 bird ; they are often tempted to chase a long way, 

 tiring them out and leading to disastrous results, 

 whilst a hare that escapes the shot will, in racing 



