TILE FIRST.
September the First begins a new sort of year. Football, as well as partridges, comes into the picture, ploughs supplant cutters-and-binders, and starlings swallows. But the day belongs to the partridge. The estimators vary much, as always, about the prospects. To give a partial and personal view—the coveys have been many, large and well-grown in the one district of Norfolk and of the Home Counties where I have been ; and theoretically the season ought to have been favourable. Yet a number of rather gloomy forecasts have been made. The true facts will be revealed in the coming week, though still harvest and harvesters will keep sportsmen out of many fields ; and even keepers have no comprehensive knowledge of the tale of birds while crops are standing.
W. BEACH THOMAS.
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