Partridge shooting is, to a contemplative mind, of a much more entertaining description; for the objects of pursuit being found in the open fields, every part of the sport is seen and enjoyed. Partridges are not in equal abundance every year, but depend in a great degree upon the state of the weather during the time of laying the eggs, as well as the time of HATCHING; which is almost invariably between the middle and the end of June. When the months of May and June are dry, birds are in general exceedingly numerous, and proportionally strong upon wing by the commencement of the SHOOTING SEASON; but when heavy and dreadful rains fall, as they frequently do during the HAY HARVEST, the destruction is incredible. Such continued rains not only chill the eggs during incubation, but drown numbers of the young almost so soon as they are out of their shells. Wet seasons also are destructive to ANTS, upon which, and their eggs, young partridges and pheasants principally subsist. Partridges so soon as the corn is cut down, and they are in a great degree deprived of the shelter and protection under which they were bred, display a most wonderful timidity and dread of danger; to which the whole covey are induced by the unceasing anxiety of the HEN for the safety of her young.
Thus incessantly alive to perpetual fear, they change their situation repeatedly in the course of the day; as well to insure security from all probable danger, as to supply the calls of nature. In the first part of the shooting season, while the stubbles of WHEAT and BARLEY are fresh, and not rendered too bare, or too much beaten by cattle, they are to be found in either one or the other, both late at night, and early in the morning: after feeding in which, (if not disturbed by the approach of those in pursuit of them,) by a signal from the hen, they rise gently, as it were, in a cluster, and glide or skim along with as little flutter as possible to the nearest turnips, standing clover, rushy moors, or grassy low coverts, in some of which, during the middle of the day, they are always to be found; and not unfrequently near a watry ditch, or running stream; as it is at this time, and only once a day, they take this part of their sustenance: but as there are many hilly countries in which water is but rarely to be found, it is natural to conclude, their wants in this respect may be amply supplied by the morning dewdrops with which vegetation so plentifully abounds.
The dogs peculiarly appropriate to and used in this sport, are principally POINTERS, at least with those who rank as SPORTSMEN, and have too high a respect for its character to degrade the order; and it is never pursued with greater consistency, or enjoyed with greater ecstasy, (or more success,) than when too many guns, or too many dogs, are not seen in the field together. Any number above two of the former, and two brace of the latter, in one company, evidently denote much more of poaching rapacity, and an intentional annihilation of GAME, than of SPORTING equity. Double-barrelled guns partake a little of the same impression, being admirably calculated to promote the very scarcity so much and so constantly complained of. The art of SHOOTING FLYING, in which numbers are so exceedingly expert, and which, in fact, may be so easily attained, is not, in general, acquired with that facility by young sportsmen, which might naturally be expected. This is entirely owing to the timidity, volatility, anxiety, and impatience, of the mind, at the very critical moment when all should be quiet and calm within; but at the impressive crisis, when the point takes place, and the animal is fixed seemingly immoveable, under an instinctive impulse, which instantaneously excites in the human frame a most aweful sensation, (the heart palpitating with HOPE, FEAR, and SUSPENSE,) the birds rise, and with so much noisy rapidity, that the mind and body being equally agitated, no particular bird is singled for the AIM, at the instant of pulling the trigger, and the whole escape.
There is no pursuit, game, or amusement, in which a proficiency is to be obtained, can require a nicer eye, a steadier hand, a cooler head, or a more philosophic patience, than the SPORT before us. Sportsmen of experience waste neither their time nor their labour; they well know, according to the description not long since given, where to find the game, according to the time of the day; and are seldom seen hunting their dogs in unlikely places. They cover the ground slowly and deliberately, that none should remain unbeaten, or birds be left behind: when a dog stands (or makes his point) the master should for a moment stand still also; the general stillness settles the dog more firmly to his point, and the birds are more likely to lie. If the gunner hurries up, (as many frequently do,) it hurries the dog also, and not only makes him impatient, but the game probably gets up out of shot; or, what is equally productive of mortification, he himself gets up to the point so flurried, and out of breath, that he finds it impracticable to take regular aim; and when he fancies he does, the bodily tremor he is in renders the shot ineffectual. To become a steady and good shot, some few short rules are unavoidably necessary, the principal of which is cool deliberation: those of too warm, hasty and impetuous a disposition, should retain in memory a single line from the immortal bard;
"Wisely and slow; they STUMBLE who run fast."
When the dog has enjoyed his point sufficiently, whether the birds are walked up, or rise spontaneously, the gun should never be raised to the shoulder till the whole covey are patiently surveyed, and the very bird fixed upon, at which the aim is intended to be taken; this once done, and the eye not removed from the devoted victim till the instrument of death is brought to bear, the sight once caught, and the motion with the trigger made in the critical and corresponding twinkling, success in most instances must eventually ensue. It may not be inapplicable to remark, that the progress to perfection is greatly retarded, amongst the juvenile branches of SPORTING SOCIETY (when shooting in company) by invariably and emulatively (but very inconsiderately and imprudently) endeavouring to obtain the FIRST shot: the error being mutual, so is the disappointment; probably both, or all, miss; to which nothing ensues but a vacant stare of mortification, not to add disgrace: but if a bird happens to fall, it is productive of clamour, and general jealousy: it is claimed by all: and personal acidities, from such trifling circumstances, have sometimes arisen about a paltry partridge, that have continued during the lives of the parties. The prudent and patient who shoot in company, will be circumspect in every motion; they will not take aim at the first bird which happens to rise, (to be confused by those who are rising,) or fix upon a bird on the left hand when a companion is on that side, and the bird going off directly across him. The right hand man and the left should take invariably birds on their own distinct sides; but when they go off in a direct line, circumstances and proceedings must be regulated accordingly.
Grouse shooting differs but little from the preceding, excepting its being more laborious, and taking place in the hotter months, and in the more hilly or mountainous countries. This species of game is not universally dispersed, like the partridge, over the face of the kingdom, but a native inhabitant of some particular district in wild, remote, or peculiar situations. They were some few years since to be plentifully seen in many parts of Wales, and in the New Forest of Hampshire; but they are now very much reduced, and rarely to be found; at least not in sufficient numbers to render it a sport worth pursuing. In the northern counties bordering upon the Tweed, and in various parts of Scotland, they are so numerous, that many of the most opulent and eager sportsmen make very long and expensive journies, to satiate themselves, and weary their dogs, with an unrestrained and unlimited profusion of sport. The grouse is larger than the partridge, and, when full grown, weighs from twenty to two-and-twenty ounces. The plumage is variegated, and beautifully composed of black, red, and white; the tail being similar to that of the partridge, but a little larger when extended in flight.
The GROUSE perseveringly adhere to those mountains and moors which are covered with heath, seldom or ever descending into the lower grounds. They fly in packs, consisting of four or five brace; and indulge upon intervening tracts of soft mossy ground, particularly in the hotter months of the year. The cackling noise of the cock may be heard at a considerable distance; and when once the dog makes his point, he is commonly the first bird upon wing. Upon the POINTER'S being first observed to stand, it is instantly necessary to keep the eye forward; for if the birds are perceived to erect their heads, and run, it is considered an infallible sign they will not lie well during that day; in which case there is no alternative, but to head the dog, and, if possible, keep pace with them, so as to be within shot when they rise; if which advantage is not taken, many a long and laborious day may be undertaken without the consolation of a single bird. As the time for this sport commences in the sultry season, and generally in parts of the country remote from expeditious means of conveyance, they do not very frequently reach the Metropolis; at least in such a recent state as to be perfectly attracting: they are (particularly if not killed remarkably clean) very soon disposed to putridity; and if required or intended to be sent to any great distance, they should be drawn as soon as convenient after they are shot, and the vacuum filled up with fine heath or herbage for the journey.
Cock (or Woodcock) SHOOTING is of a different and most entertaining description, when and wherever a plenty for the sport can be found. The woodcock is a bird of passage, and found frequently in a greater or less degree about the second, third, or last week of October. Their annual arrival in this country is more or less protracted by the uncertainty of the wind and weather at that particular season; the east and north-east winds (with a foggy heavy atmosphere) bring them over in the greatest plenty. Upon their first arrival, they have the appearance of being nearly exhausted, and drop under the nearest offered protection to the sea-shore; high trees, hedge-rows, small copses, heath, tufts of bushes and brambles, are equally acceptable. After rest, and such refreshment as the situations where they fall afford, they separate, and almost singly explore their way into the country more in-land, and fall in such woods, coverts, copses, or shaws, as are most applicably attracting or convenient to the length of their flight; varying the situation in future according to the accommodation they find, or the country they are in. No one part of the coast is more remarkable for their arrival in immense flights than another; Wales, Sussex, Norfolk, and to the extreme points of the north of Scotland, are, at different periods, supplied with equal plenty: in all or either of which, eight or ten brace (immediately after a flight arrives) have been killed out of one covert in a morning by a single gun.
The dogs used for this sport are the small COCKING SPANIEL; though they are frequently found by pointers, who make their point upon winding the bird, but not quite so staunch as to the more confirmed species; of which game the cock in a certain degree seems to partake. The woodcock, when flushed, rises heavily from the ground; and in an open glade, is so easily brought down, that even a moderate shot must be ashamed to miss; but when sprung in a lofty oaken or beechen wood, he is obliged to tower almost perpendicular above their tops, before he can attain sufficient height to take his flight in a horizontal direction; and this kind of vermicular flight he makes with such rapidity, (turning and twisting to avoid the trees,) that it is almost impossible to seize a moment for shooting with any tolerable prospect of success. As partridge shooting requires an almost systematic silence for the production of sport, so cock shooting admits of the reverse: for the greater the noise, the greater probability of success. Well-bred spaniels immediately quest so soon as they come upon haunt, as well as the moment a cock unexpectedly springs; this is the distinguishing trait of their utility, as it gives timely notice to every one of the party, and each individual has sufficient opportunity to be upon the watch.