198 PARTRIDGES 



sitting there is no security, for, like a 

 true bully, one rook, having made the 

 find, will return with a party of his 

 fellow -roughs to mob the unfortunate 

 sitting bird off her nest and fall to on 

 the spoil. 



While eggs are the staple attraction, 

 the poaching rook will make short work 

 of any young partridge that comes in 

 his way. On the whole, whatever his 

 benefits to agriculture and farmers are 

 by no means of one mind on the subject 

 there is little doubt that the rook is 

 an undesirable neighbour where game is 

 to be preserved. 



The grey or hooded crow is only with 

 us from October to April, nesting in 

 more northern latitudes, so on most 

 partridge manors he can put forward 

 a satisfactory alibi to any charge of 

 malfeasance. 



There is no need to draw any attention 

 to the misdeeds of the magpie, for his 

 striking appearance and easy destruction 

 ensure him immediate attention at the 



