PARTRIDGES 247 



And at times they are struck by the gunner's shot and 

 not killed, and though falling into the broad, they will 

 swim like a duck for the reedy shore. And as the weather 

 grows colder, they frequent the ronds and small cars 

 dotted over the marsh, and when the pale winter sun shines 

 feebly at the top of a winter's day, you are sure to find 

 a partridge or two in the sallow-cars, thorn-bushes, or reed- 

 beds, which the fowler knows well too, for the partridge is 

 by no means a shy bird, though they do skulk in cars in 

 the colder weather. 



These birds always remind me of a peculiar kind of 

 domestic fowl, so tame are they when full grown, so fond 

 of corn and beans, as the farmer knows well. 



As a table-bird, the fresh partridge is superior to a good 

 young fowl, and to some wild birds e.g., the rails and plovers, 

 perhaps ; but since the disgusting practice of eating fowl in 

 a decayed state obtains in this country, the partridge and 

 pheasant are worshipped as table dainties just as is a lean 

 tasteless piece of venison preferred to a good well-fed saddle 

 of mutton. 



THE " FRENCHMAN " 



Is a born fighter; and though his English neighbour fighteth 

 unto death, he is invariably beaten by his lordlier, fiercer 

 brother. He is a more alert bird than the Englishman, 

 not lying so well for the " sportsman " altogether a shier, 

 wilder creature. 



Indeed, the gay Frenchman chases the English bird away 

 from his dominion, and the English partridge does not thrive 

 where the Frenchman lives. 



The Frenchman is later in pairing, taking his spouse in 

 the latter part of March, though he begins nesting about the 

 same time as the Englishman ; but he is a greater architect, 

 choosing a hedgerow top, some ivy-crowned hedgerow bor- 

 dering a lane leading to the uplands, often returning year 

 after year to the same place. 



