THE PARTRIDGE. 105 



open fields entirely, and take to the woods and thickets for pro- 

 tection. 



" Or when the country floats with sudden rains, 

 Or driving mists deface the moistened plains, 

 In vain his toils the unskilful fowler tries, 

 While in thick woods the feeding partridge lies." 



If the weather has been dry and warm for several days previous 

 to going out, it will be perfect folly to hunt on the hills where 

 there is a scarcity of water. And, in like manner, if the season 

 has been wet, it will be equally irrational to wade through the 

 low grounds, as these birds neither affect very dry situations nor 

 wet localities, but, on the contrary, prefer rich stubble-fields in the 

 immediate vicinity of a clear running stream, to which they love 

 to resort to quench their thirst after the morning's feeding, and 

 preen themselves for a while in the noonday sun. If the weather 

 be boisterous and windy, without rain, partridges may most fre- 

 quently be found on the edge of close cover, or on the sides of 

 rising ground, where they betake themselves for shelter. On such 

 days they will lie very badly, and will not suffer the approach of 

 a dog, although a quiet old pointer will occasionally get right on 

 top of a covey, owing to the wind carrying all noise off from 

 the birds, provided he hunts up wind, as all dogs should be taught 

 to do. 



If, besides being stormy, a drizzling, drenching rain should set 

 in, we would advise the sportsman to withdraw at once from the 

 field, and wait patiently until the elements prove more propitious ; 

 otherwise, he will not only run the risk of an attack of rheuma- 

 tism, but also of ill-humor, while his dogs will soon become jaded 

 and his game-bag continue empty. It is of no use to kick 

 against the pricks, neither is it of any avail to get out of temper 

 and make fight with the elements, as rain it will in spite of all our 

 scolding and bad-humor ; and it will be much better to hold our- 

 selves perfectly resigned to the will of the Fates, and endeavor to 

 preserve our minds unrufiled by conning over to some good and 

 patient listener the numerous wonderful achievements of our gun 

 and dog in former days. If, however, you are of a taciturn dispo- 



