246 



SHOOTING RED-LEGS IN THE SNOW 



FRENCH partridges, or " Red-legs," as they are called 

 in Suffolk, grow so cunning after the end of October, 

 that on ground where game is scarce, or driving not 

 practicable, they escape the gun entirely after the heavy 

 covert has disappeared, and in this case sportsmen are 

 only too pleased when a heavy fall of snow brings them 

 once more within reach. A sudden snowstorm dis- 

 concerts these birds infinitely more than the grey 

 partridges. Accustomed as they have been for months 

 to run rather than rise on the approach of danger, the 

 new obstacle to their progress seems to baffle them 

 entirely. Their usual cunning forsakes them, and the 

 coveys remain huddled under the fences, or more 

 often in the ditch itself, sometimes all together, but 

 more often in twos and threes, and rise within easy 

 shot of the guns. Usually they do not repair to 

 the fences until they have made some futile attempts to 

 run about the fields, and this may perhaps account for 

 the fact that those shot have often large lumps of 

 frozen snow hanging to their thighs and bellies. In a 

 few days they get thin and poor should there be fresh 



