20 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XXIL 



us of; and welcome are they to their share of 

 fruit in the season of plenty. 



The partridges, as I pass through the field, seem 

 aware that I am not bent on slaughter, but on a 

 quiet walk of observation ; and instead of rising 

 and flying off as I pass them, simply lower their 

 heads till I am beyond them, and then begin feed- 

 ing again on the stubbles. 



From the pools at the end of the river a brace 

 or two of teal and snipes, or perhaps of mallards 

 rise, and probably one or two are bagged, as I 

 make no scruple of shooting these birds of passage 

 when they give me an opportunity. 



Looking quietly over the bank of the river, I 

 see a couple of goosanders fishing busily at the 

 tail of a pool. They are not worth eating, and I 

 do not just now want a specimen ; so after watch- 

 ing them for a short time, as they fish for small 

 trout, I walk on, leaving them unmolested. If 

 however I show any portion of my figure above 

 the bank, their quick eye detects me, and after 

 gazing for half a minute with erect neck, they fly 

 off; at first flajjping the surface of the water, 

 or almost running along it ; and then gradually 

 rising, wend their way to a few pools higher up 

 the river, where alighting they re-commence their 

 fishing. 



