. The American sportsman: . resorted to, to decoy the poor birds from their the birds be young, they will soon reassemble or be decoyed bythe imitative whistle of the sportsman; if, however, they be oldand cunning, each one will remain perfectly quiet for a long time,and not venture to call each other till towards the close of the day,when all danger is removed. A low, twittering sound is frequentlyheard issuing from a covey when terrified and about to springfrom before the dog; this sound somewhat resembles the chirpingof a brood of young chickens when nestling themselves un
. The American sportsman: . resorted to, to decoy the poor birds from their the birds be young, they will soon reassemble or be decoyed bythe imitative whistle of the sportsman; if, however, they be oldand cunning, each one will remain perfectly quiet for a long time,and not venture to call each other till towards the close of the day,when all danger is removed. A low, twittering sound is frequentlyheard issuing from a covey when terrified and about to springfrom before the dog; this sound somewhat resembles the chirpingof a brood of young chickens when nestling themselves under theirmothers wings towards nightfall. ROOSTING. Partridges, when pursued, as before stated, generally take tothe woods and thickets for protection; but instinct and long habit,on the other hand, have taught them that the open plain is a moresecure place for roosting during the night, and consequently theyalmost invariably choose a little mound of rising ground in thecentre of a cleared or stubble-field for this To afiord greater security and prevent a surprise, we imagine,partridges roost in a circle, with their heads all turned outwards,and their tails joining each other in such a manner that they pre-sent a guard on every side; and when thus disturbed the wholecovey are enabled to fly off in a direct course without interferingwith each other. If undisturbed, they are apt to resort to the THE PARTRIDGE. 125 same spot for several successive nights. We have often observedthese birds arranged in this curious manner, and, when kept upduring winter in cages, they will be found to place themselves inthis position every night about roosting-time, or even when huddlingtogether during the day. partridge is granivorous, and, in the words of the old poet— Soon as the labring horse, with swelling veins,Hath safely housed the farmers doubtful gains,To sweet repast the unwary partridge joy amid the scattered harvest lies; thus delighting in the open and c
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjecthunting, bookyear1885
