LEAVES FROM A GAME BOOK. 289 



and 23 rabbits. On one of these days we found a 

 singular covey of partridges, in which all the cocks 

 had pure white horse-shoes. We killed three of them 

 at a drive before the matter was noticed, and then 

 Sir Raymond tried to spare the remainder to ascertain 

 if the peculiarity would be transmitted to their 

 descendants. Likewise, during this visit, Merrik Burrell 

 saw a stoat carrying a big rat on his back at a great 

 pace; this he managed to accomplish by keeping his 

 teeth fixed in the throat of his victim, while by a 

 sharp toss of the head the rat was continually 

 replaced in a portable position. 



1897. 



The 1st of September found me shooting with 

 Arthur Wagg, at Maresfield, near Uckfield ; but, as it 

 rained very hard all day, we came back after getting 

 a few brace. On this day, for the first time in my 

 life, I let my gun off" by accident, in the following 

 manner : — 



