PINNATED GROUS. 499 



served, however, that there is very little encouragement to be derived 

 from the circumstance of falling in with a large number, and that the 

 greater the pack, the more likely they are to elude the vigilance of the 

 sportsman ; though it must be acknowledged that it is a most exhilarating 

 yet tantalizing sight, to start a large pack out of gunshot. To watch 

 them as their wings glisten in the sun, alternately sailing, fluttering, and 

 scooming over the undulating ground, apparently just about alighting, 

 but exerting their strength and fluttering on once more, some old stager 

 of the pack leading them beyond an intervening swell, out of harm's way, 

 beyond which all is conjecture as to the extent or the direction of their 

 flight. In such a case, it is best to follow on as quick and as straight as 

 possible, keeping the eye fixed upon the tree or bush, which served to 

 mark them, and after having proceeded a reasonable distance in the direc- 

 tion which they have flown, if a " clear'' or " cutting place" should lie in 

 the course, the birds may be confidently expected to have alighted there. 

 They never in fact settle down where the woods are thick, or the bushes 

 close and tangled, but invariably in some open space, and often in the 

 roads ; neither do they start from thick foliage or briary places, but seek 

 at once to disengage themselves from all embarrassment to their flight, by 

 attaining the nearest open space, thus offering to the sportsman the fairest 

 mark of all game birds. It frequently happens that not one is killed on 

 the first flight of a pack, as they are often very unexpectedly started, but 

 on approaching them a second time with greater caution, success is more 

 likely to follow, particularly if they have become scattered. 



"• Towards the middle of November, they have attained their average 

 weight of nearly two pounds each, and nothing can be fuller, richer, or 

 more game-like than their plumage. At this time of year, however, in 

 sportsman's phrase, they will seldom " lie to the dog," but are easily start- 

 ed by every sound they hear. Even loud talking alarms them ; for which 

 reason, a high wind, which drowns the approach of danger, is the most 

 desirable weather. A calm drizzly day is also favourable ; for the birds 

 being less likely to be disturbed by the glare of objects, venture into the 

 old rye fields, the low edges of the wood, and the bushy pastures, to feed. 



" It is seldom that we start a bird a second time in the exact spot where 

 he has been seen to hover down, for no sooner do they alight than they 

 run, and frequently into thick cover, from which they often attempt in 

 vain to disentangle themselves. A dog is then necessary to scent the 

 bird, which alternately runs and squats, until, being hard pi-essed, it rises, 



