partridge sans pear tree

On the last day of 'the season' I was presented with a brace of french partridge(2). Felt odd. They are such bonny birds. I asked the shooter if he didn't sometimes have a few qualms about killing such pretty birds. He thought for about 2 seconds and then said "Nah!" These birds would get shot whether or not I accepted them. So instead of them ending up as dog food or in a bin . . . . They are, by the way, delicious.