112 GAME-BIRDS "PACKING" 



them again they are seen to rise separately, in 

 ones and twos, for now the birds are no longer 

 linked by telepathy ; each, therefore, must 

 shift for himself, a shift which is not to the 

 advantage of the partridges, for it enables the 

 sportsman to take toll, possibly, of the whole 

 covey. 



No group, perhaps, is more closely associ- 

 ated than a covey of partridges. If not inter- 

 fered with the parents and their brood Hve 

 together till the pairing season comes round. 

 They feed in company, rest during the day 

 together, and at night " jug " in the grass or 

 in some declivity on a bare field. 



Partridges and grouse are so constantly 

 harried and driven about that coveys get 

 mixed up, when they are said to " pack." 

 Through man's interference this habit has 

 probably been acquired ; but, in any case, 

 once coveys have joined forces, the birds are 

 telepathically united. 



The common belief is that a pack of grouse 

 (or partridges) is under the leadership of a 

 single bird — an old cock, who keeps watch 

 and " crows " his orders ; but this, I think, is 

 going beyond the facts. Amongst a pack 

 there will be several old cocks, any one of 

 which, on the approach of danger, wiU give 

 the alarm ; though not the signal of any 



