When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. whichever side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust; for this brave bird is not to be scared by winter. it is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said, "sometimes plunges from on wing into the soft snow, where it remains concealed for a day or two." i used to start them in the open land also, where they had come out of the woods at sunset to "bud" the wild apple trees. they will come regularly every evening to particular trees, where the cunning sportsman lies in wait for them, and the distant orchards next the woods suffer thus not a little. i am glad that the partridge gets fed, at any rate. it is nature's own bird which lives on buds and diet drink.1 which statement best summarizes the passage? a. the local partridges like to feed near the narrator's woodpile. b. local partridges are undeterred by the harshness of winter and manage to find food in any circumstances. c. sneaky sportsmen lie waiting in the woods to hunt partridges. d. winters are very harsh at walden pond, and all the wildlife is affected by the cold weather.