96 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PARTRIDGE 
the sport would be ; but such is not the case in actual 
fact. The rougher the night, the more favourable are 
the chances, both of success in securing a large 
bag, and of eluding the attention of any curious 
observer. 
Innocence marks the poacher’s line of policy. If 
surprised during the hours of daylight in a compro- 
mising position, the real professional knows his cue 
only too well ; he was looking for ferns, or gathering 
a few blackberries to take to the missis, and meets 
any awkward enquiries with the composure of injured 
innocence. When actually operating, the poacher is 
on his mettle, and must on no account bungle his 
business. If the night is stormy, the birds are pretty 
sure to lie close. In any case extreme caution is in- 
dispensable to success. Many poachers deaden the 
sound of their footfall by pulling a pair of old stockings 
over their boots. Their knowledge of the probable 
location of each covey enables them to go direct 
to their usual roost. If stakes are likely to hinder 
operations they are rooted up, to be replaced after 
the programme of the evening has been completed. 
It has been explained to us that the delicate attention 
implied in the replanting of the bushes temporarily 
removed is a tacit acknowledgment of the rights of 
property. It has the further merit of allaying unneces- 
