PARTRIDGE. 



imported to London from Hungary. In due time they nested, 

 and hatched small broods, but they all disappeared in the course 

 of the year, probably having become the prey of Sparrow Hawks 

 or escaped cottage cats, of which there are more than enough 

 here. Perhaps the worst game destroyer of all is the collie dog, 

 when not under restraint. It does its hunting far from its own 

 home, going off during the night, and returning in time for its 

 duties in the morning, quite unsuspected by its owner, who 

 knows it never kills the chickens at its own door, and who will 

 not believe that it has done so elsewhere, and is not easily per- 

 suaded to keep his dogs in couples when not at work. I have 

 had as many as eighteen hens killed and buried in one night by 

 a shepherd's dog, which returned some days after to dig them up. 

 Being an excellent animal in other respects, she was pardoned. 



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