THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 65 



rabbits, which, although within thirty yards, did not even erect 

 their ears to listen to the sound. I have no doubt that the case 

 was very different when the trains first started, and, that 

 these four species which are now regardless of them, quickly 

 fled at their approach ; but, experience having taught them that 

 they have nothing to fear, they are now as indifferent to the loudly 

 rushing train as to the gently passing wind. When subsequently 

 travelling by this railway, I observed that a partridge which had 

 been close to where the engine passed (perhaps dusting itself on the 

 road), was obliged to move out of the way. It then flew merely a 

 few yards . up the grassy bank, and alighted within the railway 

 inclosure. 



There is a singular difference in habit between the partridge of 

 the north of Ireland and that of the opposite portion of Scotland, 

 as is well known to sportsmen who have shot in both countries : 

 I have myself remarked it with some interest. An Irish covey 

 generally springs without uttering a call, but the Scotch covey 

 shrieks with all its might when sprung. The Scotch birds too, 

 even where very little molested, more knowingly take care of them- 

 selves than the Irish : their watchfulness is extraordinary. Their 

 sense of hearing, as well as of sight, must be remarkably acute. 

 One day in the month of October, an experienced sportsman 

 and myself sprang either twenty-four or twenty-six covies (nearly 

 all double, or containing about two dozen of birds), in the 

 neighbourhood of Ballantrae, when they all not only forbade a 

 near approach, but, though we advanced as silently as possible, 

 never admitted us into the same field with them. I have 

 known partridges, that when sprung there called loudly like 

 old cock birds, prove, on being shot, young birds of the year. 



A sporting friend, who has had much experience in both 

 countries, remarks, that he has more than once seen every bird 

 of a moderate-sized covey shot in Ireland, but never saw this 

 done in Scotland. He has bagged as many birds from a certain 

 number of individuals in the former island as he has from the same 

 number of covies in Scotland. 



The Red-legged Partridge (Perdlr rufa) may be noticed, on 



VOL. II. F 



