12 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PARTRIDGE 
species was not originally found in any part of 
Scandinavia, but its introduction into Sweden is 
believed to have occurred as early as the beginning 
of the sixteenth century. It is resident in Sweden, 
in suitable situations, as far north as 60° north 
latitude, a limit which is frequently exceeded in 
favourable seasons, when the birds often succeed in 
pushing northward, and even maintain their footing 
in such boreal regions until an extra severe winter 
decimates their ranks, and compels the survivors to 
retreat further south. It is interesting to notice that 
in Scandinavia and Russia the partridge is much 
persecuted by birds of prey. In the British Isles our 
falcons were, no doubt, to blame in former days. 
When hen harriers abounded in Lincolnshire, we can 
well believe that partridges were scarce, however 
excellent the pristine stubble of our forefathers may 
have been in the days when scythes and reaping 
machines were entirely unknown. 
The goshawk, which is such a deadly foe to 
partridges on the Continent, has never been suffi- 
ciently plentiful in the British Isles to do the game 
preserve a mischief. On the other hand, the hen 
harrier must have claimed many a victim. The 
harriers have now become rare in most parts of 
‘Britain ; they always exhibited a spice of daring 
