256 IN HIGH SUFFOLK 



the first pair close to the fence, the rest at irregular 

 intervals of from one to twenty yards from each other. 

 The snow was quite soft and powdery, but my surprise 

 was great to see the birds, instead of rising as I 

 approached, gradually sink out of sight in the soft 

 mass. By the time I reached them only the backs of 

 the first pair were visible, and both let me come within 

 ten yards before rising. I shot both, and looked for 

 the others. . They had disappeared. Presently I saw 

 two small depressions in the snow, about an inch lower 

 than the rest. When I was quite close, up jumped a 

 partridge, which I shot ; and then another from beneath 

 the snow. Ten yards further on was another little 

 mark in the snow, which also yielded a bird ; and a 

 sixth the keeper caught under the fence. The seventh 

 rose close by, but I did not shoot. They were in 

 splendid condition, plump, and strong. 



