THE }'ARTIU1>G'B. 137 



ing of the first leather in the wing of the young birds 

 terminating like a lancet, he adds, " this remains only 

 until the first moulting, and in those birds whkh are 

 not of the first brood, this feather is round at the ex- 

 tremity." -But it would be an endless task to enume- 

 rate the errors with which this book abounds. 



Pointers and setters are used for shooting partridges ; 

 and the latter, the compiler is of opinion, are prefer- 

 able in a rough country, or where birds are scarce ; 

 but the pointer is perhaps equal to the setter where 

 game is very plentiful, and in an open country ; and 

 in this case two staunch dogs are fully sufficient, and 

 as much as the sportsman will be able to manage with 

 success. The best time for this amusement is from 

 two hours after sun-rise until twelve o'clock; and 

 from half past two or three o'clock until it is dark, 

 When the weather is very dry, especially at the be- 

 ginning of the season, as soon as the sun becomes 

 strong the scent sinks (to use the sportsman's phrase) 

 and the dog's abilities and cunning are put to the test 

 to no purpose. In the middle of the day partridges 

 cease to feed or run, and generally place themselves 

 by the side of some sunny bank in order to bask. 



In general they have their separate feeding and 

 sleeping places ; but it frequently happens that they 

 remain all day or all night where they fed the preced- 

 ing evening or morning; yet it much oftener happens 

 that they change their ground. At day-break, they 

 call, and, when collected, generally take their flight 

 to the stubbles, which if high and thick enough to 



