90 



lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



INTRODUCTION INTO ENGLAND. 



Frequent attempts have been made to introduce the Ameri- 

 can Partridge into England ; but these efforts have, we believe, 

 generally proved abortive, from the circumstance of our Birds 

 being so very pugnacious that they destroyed or drove off the 

 English variety, which is a much larger Bird, and considered 

 finer eating in that country. Chaque un a son gout. 



ACTIONS OF OLD AND YOUNG BIRDS. 



There is a great difference between the actions of old Birds 

 and a covey of young ones. The former are up to all kinds of 

 tricks, while the latter soon become confused, and unable to 

 avail themselves of any manoeuvring whatever to save them- 

 selves from the persecutions of the Dog and Sportsman. The 

 young Birds, if not made wild by previous hunting, lie well to 

 the Dogs, and make but short flights, and are consequently soon 

 come up with again, and, being scattered about in close proxi- 

 mity, can be picked off one by one, without much trouble to 

 the shooter. The old Birds, on the other hand, when hunted, 

 often lie badly, are extremely cautious, and run aw^ay from 

 before the Dog as soon as they observe his approach; and 

 when they spring, they take immediately to the thick cripples, 

 or disappear over the tops of the highest woods. An old Bird, 

 •when shot, will often carry off several pellets of lead with him, 



