296 > 
THE LADIES MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
the stock of partridges; but we must also consider that, besides the 
licensed destroyers, the poachers catch by nets whole coveys at one fell 
swoop. The net for this purpose is called a flue-net, made in the form of 
a jelly-bag, that is, very narrow at bottom, and very wide at the mouth. 
At opposite sides of the latter, long, narrow pieces are fixed, called the 
wings. When the net is set, the narrow end of the flue is first pegged 
to the ground, and the mouth drawn forward and extended laterally, and 
also fixed on a prop. The upper leach or selvage of the mouth is propped 
along its whole width two or three feet high, to give an easy entrance to 
the covey when driven into the flue. The wings are next stretched out, 
receding from each other as they are carried away from the mouth. The 
net is always set in a field where a covey is known to lie ; and when it 
is full-moon light, the net towards the moon. A poacher, having an old 
stalking-horse at the opposite side, begins to traverse the stubble forwards 
and backwards, always keeping on the shady side of the horse, and 
making towards the net. At last he moves the birds, and he can see 
them running before him towards the net (for they rarely take wing 
unless they happen to see the man) : he therefore keeps his zigzag course 
behind the birds till they are within the wings, and at last within the flues, 
where, when the props are pulled down, the covey is caught. Thousands 
of birds are taken every year by this and other methods of netting the 
coveys, and, as they are taken alive, fetch a higher price than when 
dead, especially when commissioned for stocking preserves. 
The partridge does not make much of a nest, contenting herself when 
she has found a suitable hollow with only drawing into it a little of the 
stubble which lies around. She lays from twelve to twenty eggs, and is 
very cautious on leaving or returning to them lest her nest should be 
found, always running a good way from it before she takes wing, and 
alighting at a like distance on the opposite side when she approaches it. 
The young can run and feed as soon as hatched, and then are the prettiest 
little creatures imaginable. When following the mother at this age, if 
by chance they are surprised by a person coming suddenly upon them, 
the distress of the poor affectionate mother is extreme : with doleful cries 
and distracted action she rises frequently by jerks, and as suddenly drops 
as if shot, still struggling away as if both wings and legs were broken, to 
beguile the notice of the intruder from her helpless young, which are all 
closely squatted invisible among the clods, where they lie without voice 
or movement until they hear the cheering, quietly-pronounced chuck , 
chuck , of the cunning mother, which so soon as they hear, they rise, 
utter their feeble cry, and follow the mother into the thickest cover. 
This scene we have many times caused and witnessed with much attention, 
