RESORTS OF PARTRIDGES. 81 



times they resort to coppices and underwoods, especially 

 if any corn fields are near, or where broom, brakes, fern, 

 &c., grow. 



In harvest time, when every field is full of men and 

 cattle, in the day-time you will find them in the fallow 

 fields which are next adjoining to the corn-fields, 

 where they lie lurking till evening, and then they 

 feed among the sheaves of corn ; as also early in the 

 morning. 



When you know their haunts, according to the 

 situation of the country and season of the year, your 

 next care must be to find them there, which is done 

 several ways. Some do it by the eye only ; and this 

 can never be taught. By long experience alone, is the 

 art learned of distinguishing the colour of the birds 

 from that of the earth, but every facility for the study 

 is afforded. They are so lazy and so unwilling to take 

 wing, that you may almost set your foot upon them 

 before they will stir, provided you do not stand and gaze 

 on them, but continue in motion, otherwise they will 

 spring up and be gone. 



Another way to discover them, is by going to their 

 haunts very early in the morning, or at the close of the 

 evening, which is called the jucking-time, and there 

 listening for the calling of the cock partridge, which is 

 very loud and earnest ; after some few calls the hen will 

 answer. By these means they meet together, which 

 you may know by their chattering one with another : 

 upon hearing which take your range about them, draw- 



G 



