CHAPTER XV 



CONCEALERS 



Now we shall take a glance at " Concealers," 

 such as game birds, whose habits are best 

 generally known. Grouse, partridges, quail, 

 etc., dwell together in family parties and, as 

 might be expected, are in close telepathic 

 sympathy. The parents in these cases natur- 

 ally act as guides to the young brood (say, 

 partridges) until the former's career is cut 

 short by the sportsman. The old birds are 

 generally the first to fall ; incidentally, be- 

 cause being larger they attract the eye of the 

 gunner, and, purposely, they are often shot 

 in order to keep the covey from becoming 

 wild. Thus, by the end of September, the 

 brood is often without parents to look after 

 them. When this is the case the young 

 birds, having no reasoning mind, cannot and 

 do not appoint a leader, but act together 

 automatically. 



In imagination, let us watch the sportsman 

 as he enters a field of clover in pursuit of such 



