20 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XXII. 



and welcome are they to their share of fruit in the 

 season of plenty. 



The partridges as I pass through the field seem 

 aware that I am not bent on slaughter, but on a 

 quiet walk of observation ; and instead of rising 

 and flying oflp as I pass them, simply lower their 

 heads till I am beyond them, and then begin feed- 

 ing again on the stubbles. 



From the pools at the end of the river a brace or 

 two of teal and snipes, or perhaps of mallards rise, 

 and probably one or two are bagged, as I make no 

 scruple of shooting these birds of passage when they 

 give me an opportunity. 



Looking quietly over the bank of the river, I see a 

 couple of goosanders fishing busily at the tail of a 

 pool. They are not worth eating, and I do not just 

 now want a specimen ; so after watching them for a 

 short time, as they fish for small trout, I walk on, 

 leaving them unmolested. If however I show any 

 portion of my figure above the bank their quick eye 

 detects me, and after gazing for half a minute with 

 erect neck, they fly ofi"; at first flapping the surface 

 of the water, or almost running along it ; and then 

 gradually rising, wend their way to a few pools 

 higher up the river, where alighting they re-com- 

 mence their fishing. 



