382 SHOOTING. 



After the middle of October, it is ever uncertain 

 where birds will be found ; the stubbles having been 

 pretty well gleaned, birds do not remain in them 

 so long as in the early part of the season. When 

 disturbed at this time, they will sometimes take 

 shelter in woods, where they are flushed one by one. 

 The best shots that can be obtained at partridges 

 in winter, are when the birds are driven into woods. 



When a covey separates, the shooter will gene- 

 rally be able to kill many birds, but late in the 

 season it is seldom that the covey can be broken. 

 In November and December the shooter must not 

 expect to have his birds pointed, but must remain 

 content with firing at long distances. In the early 

 part of the season, when the shooter breaks a covey, 

 he should proceed without loss of time in search of 

 the dispersed birds, for the parent birds begin to 

 call almost immediately on their alighting, the 

 young ones answer, and in less than half an hour, 

 if not prevented by the presence of the shooter 

 and his dogs, the whole covey will be re-assembled, 

 probably in security in some snug corner, where 

 the shooter least thinks of looking for them. As 

 the season advances, birds are longer in re-assem- 

 bling after being dispersed. It is necessary to beat 

 very closely for dispersed birds, as they do not stir 

 for some time after alighting, on which account 

 dogs cannot wind them until nearly upon them, 

 especially as they resort to the roughest places 

 when dispersed. Birds dispersed afford the primest 

 sport. The pointing is often beautiful, the bird 

 being generally in a patch of rushes, or tuft of 



