THE COMMON PAlirRIDGE. 
65 
rabbits^ whicli^ although within tliirty yards^ did not even erect 
their ears to listen to the sound. I have no doubt that the case 
was very different when the trains first started, and, that 
these four species which are now regardless of them, quickly 
ffed at their approach ; but, experience having taught them that 
they have nothing to fear, they are now as indilferent to the loudly 
rushing train as to the gently passing wind. When subsequently 
travelling by this railway, I observed that a partridge which had 
been close to where the engine passed (perhaps dusting itself on the 
road), was obliged to move out of the way. It then flew merely a 
few yards up the grassy bank, and alighted within the railway 
inclosure. 
There is a singular difference in habit between the partridge of 
the north of Ireland and that of the opposite portion of Scotland, 
as is well known to sportsmen who have shot in both countries : 
I have myself remarked it with some interest. An Irish covey 
generally springs without uttering a call, but the Scotch covey 
shrieks with all its might when sprung. The Scotch birds too, 
even where very little molested, more knowingly take care of them- 
selves than the Irish : their watchfulness is extraordinary. Their 
sense of hearing, as well as of sight, must be remarkably acute. 
One day in the month of October, an experienced sportsman 
and myself sprang either twenty-four or twenty-six covies (nearly 
all double, or containing about two dozen of birds), in the 
neighbourhood of Ballantrae, when they all not only forbade a 
near approach, but, though we advanced as silently as possible, 
never admitted us into the same field with them. I have 
known partridges, that when sprung there called loudly like 
old cock birds, prove, on being shot, young birds- of the year. 
A sporting friend, who has had much experience in both 
countries, remarks, that he has more than once seen every bird 
of a moderate-sized covey shot in Ireland, but never saw this 
done in Scotland. He has bagged as many birds from a certain 
number of individuals in the former island as he has from the same 
number of covies in Scotland. 
The E/ED-legged Partridge {Perdix rufd) may be noticed, on 
VOL. II. E 
