BRITISH BIRDS. 00 j 
In common, call them together, point out to them 
their proper food, and affilt them in finding it by 
fcratching the ground with their feet ; they fre- 
quently fit clofe by each other, covering the chick- 
ens with their wings, like the Hen : In this filia- 
tion they are not eafily flufhed ; the fportfman, 
who is attentive to the prefer vation of his game, 
will carefully avoid giving any difturbance to a 
fcene fo truly interefting; but fhould the pointer 
come too near, or unfortunately run in upon 
them, there are few who are ignorant of the confu- 
fion that follows : The male firfl gives the fignal 
of alarm by a peculiar cry of diftrefs, throwing 
himfelf at the fame moment more immediately in- 
to the way of danger, in order to deceive or mif- 
lead the enemy ; he flies, or rather runs along the 
ground, hanging his wings, and exhibiting every 
fymptom of debility, whereby the dog is decoyed, 
by a too eager expectation of an eafy prey, to a 
diftance from the covey ; the female flies off in a 
contrary direction, and to a greater diftance, but 
returning foon after by fecret ways, fhe finds her 
Scattered brood clofely fquatted among the grafs, 
and collecting them with hafte, file leads them from 
the danger, before the dog has had time to return 
from his purfuit. 
