186 THE PARTRIDGE 



and, among the willow roots beneath the arching 

 bank, sipped from the swift-flowing stream that, 

 even in the severest weather, was never entirelv 

 covered with ice. 



Every action of the partridges, till the fields 

 again were moist and green, seemed to be guided 

 by a marvellous intuition of peril. Exposed to 

 view if they dared to walk or fly across the snow, 

 they were also often in danger when they fre- 

 quented the sheltered hedges. For there, many 

 others among the hunted dwellers of the field, 

 when sorely in need of food and warmth, fore- 

 gathered, and birds and beasts of prey were not 

 slow to observe the opportunity thus afforded 

 them, and to mark especially the spots frequented 

 by the well-conditioned partridges. 



