' Potting' Partridges. 147 



that period can protect them. He also observes 

 where the partridges which roost on the ground 

 assemble nightly as it grows dark, easily ascertain- 

 ing the spot by their repeated calls to each other, 

 and sometimes knocks over three or four at a 

 shot. 



Occasionally, also, early in the season, before the 

 legitimate sportsman perhaps has stepped into the 

 stubble, and while the coveys are large, he sees a good 

 chance, and with two or even three ounces of shot 

 makes havoc among them. He invariably fires at his 

 game sitting, first, because he cannot lose an oppor- 

 tunity, and, next, because he can kill several at once. 

 He creeps up behind a hedge, much as the sportsman 

 in Rubens' picture in the National Gallery is repre- 

 sented, stooping to get a view, himself unseen, at the 

 brown birds on the ground. With the antique fire- 

 lock such a practice was necessary ; but nothing in 

 our day so stamps a man a poacher as this total 

 denial of ' law ' to the game. 



When the pheasant is shot his next difficulty is 

 with the feathers. The fluffy, downy under-feathers 

 fly in all directions, scattering over the grass, and if 

 left behind would tell an unmistakable tale. They 

 must therefore be collected as far as possible, and 

 hidden in the ditch. The best pockets for carrying 



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