CHAPTER VIII 

 THE LANDRAIL 



A familiar figure — Hard to retrieve when wounded — An excellent table 

 bird — -Its food — When the call ceases — Country names — The " king 

 of the quails " — Period of migrations — Belated birds — Points of the 

 landrail — Extraordinary migrants — Their range — From Greenland 

 to Natal. 



TO the September gunner the landrail is, of course, 

 a familiar figure enough. During the first three 

 weeks of partridge-shooting few bags, in almost any 

 part of Great Britain, fail to include a specimen or two 

 of this shy and secretive migrant. In truth, few typical 

 partridge days would be complete without the sight of 

 the curious bird which, rising slowly and clumsily 

 from before the march of the gunners, with drooping 

 legs, wings its heavy flight, apparently scarcely able 

 to do much more than top the level of the corn stooks, 

 or the piece of standing barley or beans from which it 

 has been driven. The landrail is, of course, easily 

 shot ; but, unless killed, it is a most troublesome bird 

 to pick up, giving even the seasoned and sagacious 

 retriever, who knows its tricks and its dodging ways, 

 an infinity of trouble. It has great powers of leaping, 

 and when pursued by dogs is capable of jumping three 

 or four yards. This is done "with closed wings and 

 compressed feathers," manifestly for the suppression 

 of scent, as far as possible, and, no doubt, many a 

 landrail confuses the dog and makes its escape by this 

 means. 



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