264 PARTRIDGES 



and as every grass-field is studded with 

 whinny knowes and rushy hollows, the 

 way birds get 'squandered' and lost 

 between the drives is marvellous. To 

 any who have to deal with similar condi- 

 tions, it may be useful to point out that 

 some success may be assured by handling 

 the birds very carefully in the turnips. 

 Having collected every possible bird into 

 a large field of good holding cover and 

 in our damp climate the turnips grow 

 high and thick the beaters move very 

 slowly down the field with the flanks 

 pushed well in advance, almost reaching 

 the line of guns before the centre is half- 

 way down the field. If all goes well, 

 when the line of beaters has come within 

 80 yards of the end of the field, most of 

 the coveys are still between them and the 

 guns ; these birds, having heard the shoot- 

 ing in front, and the men passing them 

 on either flank, now become aware of the 

 beaters coming on behind them, and 

 feeling completely hemmed in, almost 

 invariably squat. Then the line coming 



