BRITISH SPORT PAST AND PRESENT 



calling, he had ascertained a covey to lie, and pitched his nets 

 down-wind of them. This done, under the cover of the 

 stalking horse, and his face covered with something green or 

 dark blue, the sportsman stalked the partridges carefully lest 

 they took wing, and drove them slowly ' running naturally ' 

 to the net. 



Possession of a setting dog relieved the sportsman of the 

 necessity for learning to call. Let Cox describe the sport in 

 his own words : — 



' Having a Dog thus qualified by Art and Nature, take him 

 with you where Partridges do haunt, there call off your Dog, 

 and by some word of encouragement that he is acquainted with, 

 engage him to range, but never too far from you ; and see that 

 he beat his ground justly and even, without casting about, or 

 flying now here, now there, which the mettle of some will do 

 if not corrected and reproved. And therefore when you per- 

 ceive this fault, you must presently call him in with a Hem, 

 and so check him that he dare not do the like again for that day. 

 So will he range afterwards with more temperance, ever and 

 anon looking in his Master's face, as if he would gather from 

 thence whether he did well or ill. If in your Dog's ranging 

 you perceive him to stop on the sudden, or stand still, you must 

 then make in to him, (for without doubt he hath set the 

 Partridge) and as soon as you come to him, command him to 

 go nearer ; but if he goes not, but either lies still or stands 

 shaking of his Tail, as who would say, Here they are under my 

 nose, and withal now and then look back ; then cease from 

 urging him further, and take your circumference, walking fast 

 with a careless eye, looking straight before the nose of the Dog, 

 and thereby see how the Covey lie, whether close or straggling. 



' Then commanding the Dog to lie still draw forth your 

 net, and prick one end to the ground, and spread your Net all 

 open, and so cover as many of the Partridges as you can ; 

 which done make in with a noise, and spring up the Partridges ; 

 which shall no sooner rise than they will be entangled in the 

 Net.' 



68 



