PARTRIDGE SHOOTING 
The host will save his guests much trouble, and himself perhaps a 
certain amount of strong language and shouting, if he will tell them before 
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the drive commences, in which direction the next drive will be. They will 
then know which end of the field to make for when they have picked up 
their birds. 
The drivers will generally approach the 
guns in a slight curve, both flanks being for- 
ward, in order to try and force the birds over 
the centre of the line. If there be a side wind, 
of course the beaters on the down-wind side 
should be considerably advanced. In the latter 
case, the outside gun should be rather down- 
wind of the drive, as some birds are sure to break out. If it is a case of a 
still day, or a down -wind drive pure and simple, 
the drivers should not come in front of the flank 
guns, unless it is desired to turn them in a par- 
ticular direction. This “flanking in” is often 
carried to excess, and unless the wind is very 
strong, there is no reason why any gun should 
be flanked out. 
I have often seen the two outside guns rendered quite useless by 
the flankers coming right across them. This means that where there 
are six guns out, the party is virtually reduced to four on many occasions, 
and this must not only be detrimental to the bag, but it spoils the sport 
of those who happen to be the flank guns on these occasions. 
No noise of any sort should be permitted ; if partridges mean to go back, 
no amount of shouting or flag waving will stop them ; in fact, it will only 
make them fly higher and further, and very likely drive them off the beat. 
It is a good plan to provide whistles for the centre keeper and one on 
each flank. These whistles should be in different keys. When a covey rises 
on the right of the beaters, the keeper on that side will blow his whistle, 
and the guns opposite that end will be on the qui vive. Should a covey 
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