380 A JOURNEY TO THE 



Winter ; which, considering the quantity of venison, geese, 

 ducks, ^c. enumerated in his account, that were killed that 

 year, makes the number so great, that it is scarcely possible to 

 conceive what eighty men could do with them ; for on calcula- 

 tion, ninety thousand partridges and twenty-five thousand 

 hares divided by eighty, amounts to no less than one thousand 

 one hundred and twenty-five partridges, and three hundred and 

 twelve hares per man. This is by far too great a quantity, 

 particularly when it is considered that neither partridges nor 

 hares are in season, or can be procured in any numbers, more 

 than seven months in the year. Forty thousand partridges 

 and five thousand hares would, I think, be much nearer the 

 truth, and will be found, on calculation, to be ample provision 

 for eighty men for seven months, exclusive of any change. 

 The common weight of those birds is from eighteen to 

 twenty-two ounces when first killed ; there are some few that 

 are nearly that weight when fit for the spit, but they are so 

 scarce as by no means to serve as a standard ; and as they 

 always hord with the com[4i3]mon size, there is no room to 

 suspect them of another species. As all those over-grown 

 partridges are notoriously known to be males, it is more than 

 probable that they are imperfect, and grow large and fat like 

 capons ; and every one that has had an opportunity of tasting 

 those large partridges, will readily allow that they excel the 

 common sort as much in flavour as they do in size. It is re- 

 marked in those birds, as well as the Rock Partridge, that they 

 are provided with additional clothing, as it may be called ; for 

 every feather, from the largest to the smallest, except the 

 quills and tail, are all double. The under-feather is soft and 

 downy, shooting from the shaft of the larger ; and is wonder- 

 fully adapted to their situation, as they not only brave the 

 coldest Winters, but the species now under consideration 

 always burrow under the snow at nights, and at day-light 

 come forth to feed. In Winter they are always found to 



