CHAPTER V 



PARTRIDGE-SPIGOTING 



Anticipation Modern methods Weather and wildness The more 

 birds, the wilder they are Towering birds The legs-down 

 fallacy The cloud of feathers Some stories Driving Skill 

 and circumstances Observations on driving. 



THERE is in the anticipation of September partridge- 

 shooting a pleasure almost equal to that of consum- 

 mation. There is no perfume comparable to that 

 enchanting blend of charlock flowers, turnips, clover- 

 heads, and stubble. I wonder on how many even- 

 ings of late August I have paused by some gate 

 on the fringe of my partridge-fields to enjoy a pipe 

 of fragrant shag ; to sniff the savour of dewy earth ; 

 to hear the lullabies of crouching coveys ; and to 

 listen to what sounds gave requiem to-day. What 

 incense came from those beloved fields! What 

 glorious nocturnes in the call of partridges and 

 the wild wail of the curlew ! 



The keeper of to-day has good reason to rejoice 

 that the high stubbles and tall turnips are no more. 

 Just imagine how partridges would fare in front of 



52 



