PARTRIDGES 47 
planted and fenced partridge coverts or sanctuaries 
are all very well for those who can afford them—and, 
of course, for the partridges. And if these luxuries 
are systematically installed over an estate, the 
process of driving the birds is considerably simpli- 
fied. However, the chief use of such permanent 
coverts is for the betterment of the birds’ nesting ; 
but if you want the partridges to take full advantage 
of them, the stuff of which they are composed must 
be kept thin and short. 
So far as its practical form goes, the interest 
taken by the average man who owns or rents 
partridge ground is none the better for its sudden 
blossoming forth when September is getting near. 
It is really of little more use to the birds’ welfare 
than the compassion of the ordinary non-shooting 
man in the country, who corresponds to the so-called 
‘man in the street’ in town. The former does not 
think about partridges at all till the latter end of 
August; then he may remark casually—probably 
at dinner—that he supposes the first of September 
will soon be here, and metaphorically will smack his 
lips in view of the annual prospect of a brace of 
birds from someone. It never enters this individual's 
head that partridges do not come with the month 
more or less as mushrooms, or spring flowers, or 
June roses. I do not expect him to believe that 
partridges would show an appreciable return were 
they to receive a tithe of the attention which is 
