THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
The majority of partridges hatch off about June 21, and at that time it 
is most important that the weather should be warm, a few showers (not 
heavy thunderstorms) will do more good than harm, as they will promote 
insect life. 
The partridge is a very devoted mother. Many have been found dead on 
their eggs after a long spell of cold and very wet weather, having sacrificed 
themselves in the hope of rearing their broods. They also display great 
courage and resource if disturbed either on their nest or with their young. 
Mr H. Noble writes: “We had a case here of interest, the keeper heard 
a partridge cock making an awful row — on looking about he saw a cat 
advancing to a nest he knew of ; before he could shoot the beast she 
had sprung at the sitting bird, just missed her, but pulled out her tail. 
The cat was shot. In an hour’s time the hen was back on her nest, minus 
her tail.” 
Of late years many partridges, both old and young, have died all 
through August and September in a most mysterious and heartbreaking 
way. No satisfactory explanation has been given of this. It is not always 
from gapes, but prevails if the season be a dry one. It is probable that the 
enormous numbers of poultry in the fields have a good deal to say to this, 
for reasons mentioned earlier in this article. 
In 1910 several old birds were picked up dead the last week in Septem- 
ber which seemed to be in fairly good condition, except that their feathers 
were dark, and the back of the head bald and rather raw. 
An irreverent sportsman suggested that they had died from old age, 
having been spared for several successive seasons. But there is something 
really wrong in the way that old and young die quite late in the season, 
and it might be worth the while of those who are interested in partridges 
to follow the example of the owners of grouse moors, and get a competent 
committee appointed to look into the matter and report. 
ARTHUR ACLAND HOOD. 
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