PARTRIDGES IN THE FIELDS 23 
heart’s content. They are particular, of course, in 
their choice of such a vendezvous. The sort of place 
which seems to suit them best, on the whole, is a nice 
sandy knoll on the side of a hill, screened from incon- 
venient observation by a light covering of bracken 
or lady-fern. In such a spot as this the birds are 
thoroughly at home, and it is delightful to study their 
sense of enjoyment. Overflowing with exuberance ot 
spirits, they dust their plumage in a sand bath to their 
heart’s cortent, preening their feathers with grace and 
skill. 
At such a time their attitudes are free and fear- 
less. Some of the number are sure to be seen resting 
on their sides, thrusting their feet through their wing 
quills, as if indulging in the luxury of stretching their 
relaxed limbs, drinking in the warmth, so to speak, 
with easy contentedness. Country folk in the north 
of England are well acquainted with this trait, which 
they express by the word ‘balming,’ a term which 
has extended its meaning by common use, so that it 
has in its turn created the term a ‘ da/m’ to describe 
a covey of partridges; the designation is informal 
enough, but it completely meets the case. The 
situations to which the birds withdraw to enjoy their 
noonday siesta are generally chosen for their retired 
position ; but the partridge is an adaptive species, and 
