The sun., 1896-09-22
NAMES ECCENTRIC P4RTR1DeEs.
Flying Through Windows and RoostiuG on
SIis In Inex xplieabie Fashion.

Flying Through Windows and RoostiuG
Silis In m Inexpiieabie Fashion.
EAST BUCKsPoRT, Me-, Sept. 15-Old hunters
who have shot ruffed grouse for the last half
century say they never have known the birds to
act SO strangely they do this fall. Late in
August. or early in September. when the
clutches OF young birds break up and fly away
without parental restraint, they seem to be
dazed for time and go through many
maneuvres that are not sanctioned by the
elders OF the flock. This year these eccentrici-
ties are moro pronounced than ever. Many
birds have committed suicide Toward the mid
die of the afternoon, VIXEN the sun shines on tho
western windows OF the farm houses sending
bright reflections across the fields and tree-clad
pasture lands. the Juvenile partridges. seeing
the light, become fascinated by its glow and
dash toward 1t as fast as their wings can take
them. They sometimes miscalculate and 60 up
against the sides OF the house; then they fall to
tho ground with broken uecks. Most of them,
however, break through the window panes and
strike the far side of the room. where they are
found later by the occupants OF the house.
Mrs. Nicholas Curran, who occupies n large
house near the shores OF Brewers Pond. has
lost eight lights of glass on account OF the
misguided partridges that few into her win
dows this fall. In return she has caught six
plump birds, which went to supply the family
high attic Window. flew through the omen cham
ber. and broke pane from the opposite end OF
the house. escaping TO The woods.
On last Monday evening Allen Clark and his
family OF Dedham were sitting round the table
after supper when Il partridge came in through
the glass. hit tho kerosene lamp on tho table
and tipped 1t over to the floor. After the family
had put out the fire they found the partridge
which the baby had just been removed.
On last Saturday afternoon Mrs. Atwood of
Owington sat down IN great aTmehair in tho
west room OF her mousse and feIl asleep, She
which boiled through the glass and hit her IN
A young son OF Frank Ellis Of Prospect was
down cellar clearing out bin for potatoes when
into the cistern. and was drowned.
John d. O'Brien and Lester Rogers, two young
men from south Boston, came to Maine early in
shooting partrldEes. They arrived early ono
for birds. Before sunrise they were aroused by
M the n noise ,s OF somst5ing rapping on the window
saw @ Sitting on tho wnSow iedEs tnSy eS
Ing a crab apple which 1t had picked from a tree
growing near the house. Tho family where they
daylight every morning for the fruit. That
night the visitors slept with the window open
lowing morning the occupants OF the house
were frightened by the loud report of a gun.
Rushing to the room 3 occupied by the two men,
SSA sSs'' ssE' Il TAs bed .ss fSs fssl isa
apple tree she would 1nd a partridge which
they wished to have dressed and cooked for
bird in the Same manner, ana then. after skip
ping one morning. they killed third one
Although the partridges act strangely and
old birds. Many Of those which survived Cd had si
their nests robbed by prowling foxes were
drowned by May rain storms. SO nobody can e1-
pect good hunting this year.