166 THE PAETRIDGE 



of the field. Wandering afoot between the 

 dewy stalks and leaves, and listening to the 

 frequent call-notes of the cock, they succeeded 

 in reuniting in an open space between the 

 barley and the roots, then settled, once more, 

 to rest. But their fright had filled them with 

 misgiving, and the faintest sound of a wind- 

 stirred leaf roused them at once from slumber. 

 With the first peep of dawn, they moved away, 

 cautiously and silently, and sought a well-known 

 sanctuary where, hitherto, they had never been 

 disturbed. 



It may often be observed that partridges, 

 when they take flight without the least sus- 

 picion of danger, but simply to exercise their 

 wings, or change their feeding quarters, do 

 not rise straight or far from the ground. The 

 signal to rise is given in a low, twittering note 

 by the old partridge that leads the way. As 

 on such occasions the parent birds fly along 

 routes familiar to their offspring, and do not 

 wander to any considerable distance, the young- 

 sters need not hurry their departure. They 

 sometimes wait till they have finished a light 

 meal ; then, thinking perhaps that their parents 

 have had sufficient time to find for them a further 

 supply of food, they leisurely make off in the 

 direction taken by the cock ; and soon the covey 

 is once more complete. 



