78 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PARTRIDGE 
gentlemen are responsible for the freightage of a 
variety of goods. It may not be inappropriate to 
instance here a recent experience, albeit not concerned 
with partridges. A fellside farmer captured a raven 
in a trap set for a mountain fox. The man of flocks 
seized the bird and struck its head against a stone. 
The lifeless body was then rolled up in brown 
paper and committed to the charge of an itinerant 
carrier who chanced to call that day. The parcel 
was duly delivered at the birdstuffer’s. When the 
package was opened, out hopped Mr. Raven, 
who, having recovered from a momentary swoon, 
flew on to the kitchen table and proclaimed his 
return to the upper world with a harsh unmusical 
croak. 
Carriers of the Barkis type are nothing loth to 
earn an extra shilling by the porterage of parcels 
which, if examined officially, might not unfairly be 
deemed contraband. They are in touch with local 
shopkeepers and willingly act as middlemen. But if 
the poacher has arranged a contract with a game- 
dealer like-minded to himself, the modus operandi is 
enormously facilitated. The game-dealer is happy to 
supply his agents with his own printed labels convey- 
ing the terms of his licence to deal in game. All 
that is necessary, under such circumstances, is for the 
