1891. Scotland.
Sept. 12
(No 8)
Larbert, Sterlingshire. - four pound, 28 gauge gun
belonging  to my host.
  Many of the Rabbits which were driven out
were too small to shoot, some being apparently
only  a few weeks old. Two large rats also
came out. One was shot, the other saw me
and beat back being apparently caught by
the Ferret at the mouth of the hole for
it set up a loud squealing the moment
after it plunged in.
  While we were shooting the Rabbits we
heard a volley of shots in a neighboring
stubble and saw eight or ten Partridges
skimming down a hillside into a field
of potatoes where they all alighted, scattering 
over a space of several acres. Three young
sportsman, accompanied by several keepers
and boys with a spaniel and a retriever,
followed them. They quickly put up one
Partridge & shot it but the retriever on being
sent to fetch it overran the spot and
started on a mad careen over the whole
field flushing all the remaining birds and
getting a sound thrashing from the keeper 
when finally secured. Several of the flushed
Partridges came very near us but not within
shot. They looked much like our Quail & 
flew in a similar way but less swiftly.
  I left Larbert by the 5.38 P.M. train
and on reaching Edinburgh packed my
trunks and went on to London by 9.10 P.M.
train.