, H. xiv.] DRIEST GROUND HUNTED. 233 



otherwise you would seldom get a shot to a poiiit at partridge when 

 the ground is wet, and the birds have taken to running ahead along 

 a furrow or, as is frequently the case, are all making off in one 

 direction, probably seeking the shelter of some well-known friendly 

 cover. Should you think this likely to happen, you must, without 

 minding what quarter the wind blows from, commence your beat 

 by traversing the ground that lies between them and their place of 

 refuge. Even then you will often find that they will rather face 

 you, than be diverted from their original design. 



401. In large turnip-fields you would do well when birds are 

 wild to hunt the outer parts first, and so gradually work round and 

 round towards the centre. Then return to the outer parts, and 

 airain work round the borders. The birds- thus finding themselves 

 headed in every direction are much more likely to lie than if you 

 had not so manreuvred. On such occasions the great advantages of 

 caution in dogs, and of their prompt obedience to the hand are made 

 maniiest. I heard of a man who, in order to make birds lie close 

 in turnips, used to direct his little boy to trot his pony round and 

 round the field. The plan was very successful. The birds seemed 

 quite bewildered, especially when time had been allowed for the 

 boy to complete the circuit before the dogs were permitted to enter. 

 I remember a good sportsman telling me that he had more than 

 once succeeded in making wild birds lie by attaching soft-sounding 

 bells to the collars of his pointers. The novel sound appeared to 

 arrest the attention of the partridges. This seems opposed to 

 what is said in 74 about bells used in cover scaring game. 



402. High winds and rain greatly disturb birds ; and if you are 

 a tyro in partridge-shooting you should thank me for recommending 

 you, if you are ever so anxious to get a few shots, to wait for the 

 first hour of sunshine after such weather,* and then to hunt the 

 // -i> 4 grounds, where you probably will find the birds not feeding, 

 but quietly reposing, after the knocking about they have undergone. 

 But, my young friend, I should like to give you another hint. 

 When it is late in the season, instead of constantly beating the 

 denuded stubbles, try the wild uncultivated lands (if there are any 

 in your neighbourhood) where it is likely the birds will be found 

 searching for the common grass-seeds which they neglected when 

 more palatable grain could be easily obtained. Wind without wet 

 sometimes makes wild birds lie, probably because they do not hear 

 the sportsman's footsteps. 



403. After you have sprung a covey, and succeeded in killing the 

 old pair, should the scent be bad, give the young birds time to run 

 a little before you let your dogs hunt for them. Late in the season, 

 in hot, dry weather, such delay is frequently productive of much 



* But there is this to be said in under the two-fold annoyance of 



favour of your perpetually shooting the gun and such weather, the 



in wind and wet : you will'be act- birds will fly to great distances to 



ing a most friendly part by your seek for quiet shelter, 

 less persecuting neighbour, for 



