222 THE KEEPERS BOOK 



near them to spoil their scent. Men carrying hares or 

 rabbits are especially to be warned off. 



(10) The keeper should remember the unvarying 

 law the line must move slowly, evenly, and silently. 



Note. It is in every way to be recommended that, 

 where partridges are habitually killed by the walking- 

 up principle, an occasional drive should be arranged. 

 In this way the coveys are dispersed, there is an inter- 

 change of blood, and old barren birds are killed off. 



Driving Partridges 



There are several important points in connection 

 with a partridge drive that the keeper should keep in 

 his mind : 



(1) The question of fences is of importance where 

 partridge-driving is regularly practised year by year. 

 The keeper should, along with his master, try to use 

 persuasion with the farmers not to cut their fences too 

 low. If the good relationships referred to in Chapter 

 III. be maintained, this should be easy. Shooting 

 from behind a good high hedge is quite a different 

 matter than from behind a low-clipped one, or from 

 behind an artificial " butt " in the shape of an impro- 

 vised hurdle. 



(2) In the majority of cases the keeper will find 

 that the guns will take up their position for shooting 

 guided by their own knowledge of the sport, but he 

 may be called upon to indicate to the less experienced 

 the best positions to assume. He will keep in mind 



