MORE ABOUT GAME-BIRDS. 113 



called " home birds," as they can be found in the 

 fields surrounding the farms, and also on all kinds of 

 ground just outside them and in the covers. 



Sometimes the bird frequents the edges, or, as 

 they might be called, the outskirts of No-man's Land ; 

 and then after one or two coveys have had the good 

 luck, from their wildness and wariness, to escape 

 death from shot or from their natural enemies, they 

 alter in plumage and decrease in size. A continued 

 state of activity takes off their plumpness and de- 

 velops the muscle on their frames, and their plumage 

 becomes quite dingy compared with that of the field - 

 partridges. These wild rangers are locally called 

 moor-partridges, and the difference between them 

 and the field-birds is so great sometimes, that the 

 natives will tell you that there are two sorts of par- 

 tridges, and they know it. Of course this is a mis- 

 take on their part, but it must be owned a very 

 natural one, especially as the partridge, even in his 

 usual haunts and surroundings, is subject sometimes 

 to variations in the tints and also the markings of 

 his plumage. 



Concerning the so-called moor-birds, I have a 

 suggestion to offer. If by chance they come in the 



H 



