210 The Common Partridge. 
broadcast, they could be walked up to easier than at 
the present system of farming, as in dry seasons the 
birds can see the sportsman from one end of the field 
to the other up the rows of turnips or mangold wurzel; 
but in past days, or a century ago, shooting, like other 
things, was not so well known as now, and, instead of 
the gun, hawks were used for killing game on the 
wing. At the present time, when Partridges get. too 
wild for sportsmen to approach near them on the 
ground, the method of driving is adopted, and it re- 
quires a good shot to fall his brace when these birds 
are in full flight in the month of December. Partridges 
always roost on the ground, the covey forming a circle, 
with their heads outwards, so that an enemy cannot 
well surprise them. 
The character of this bird's flight is a straight line, 
moving its wings very rapidly when rising from the 
sround, thereby making a sudden whirring noise, 
familiar to those who have crossed fields of corn; but 
after it is in full flight, it can turn any way it may 
please with only a slight curve of its wings, which at 
times seem not to have a feather moving. These 
