i62 ROUND THE GREAT WHITE HORSE 



which had been feeding on the opposite side of the rick 

 to that from which we were coming, ran round to see 

 what was the matter. After reconnoitring us for a 

 minute, they also rose and flew a short way off, where 

 they remained calling and running about anxiously 

 till we should be gone. Some hurdles wattled with 

 straw lay under a shed near, and by making a screen 

 of these it was possible to remain close by, yet 

 undiscovered. 



Soon the birds began to call, and then flew boldly 

 back to within twenty yards of the barley-rick. They 

 stood upright, with heads raised for a minute, and then 

 a fine old cock rushed up to the rick, clucking in an 

 encouraging manner to the rest. These were not slow 

 to join him, and soon the whole covey to the number 

 of eight were pulling straw out with great energy, 

 tugging and beating their wings when the work was 

 more than usually difficult, and often jumping up to 

 catch hold of any straw which hung out further than 

 the rest. Another covey flew up to the other side of 

 the rick, and the calling and clucking which notified 

 their arrival made the first-comers cease feeding for a 

 moment. The old cock bustled out from under the 

 rick and was instantly confronted by the leader of the 

 fresh covey. A fight seemed probable, but as their 

 respective families fraternized and began to gobble 

 barley together, the cock-birds seemed to think that 

 enough had been done for honour, and were soon lead- 

 ing the joint attack on the grain. From our position 

 we could see well the beautiful plumage of the birds, 



