of the Norfolk and Suffolk Birds. 35 
2. P.cinerea (Partridge). 
= The Partridges at Blakenham in Suffolk, where the soil is 
chalky, are said to be of a lighter colour than they usually are 
seen upon other soils. We know not whether the same remark 
has been made upon those which inhabit the other chalky dis- 
tricts of the kingdom. Temminck, in his Natural History of 
Pigeons and Gallinaceous Birds, observes, that the Common Par- 
tridge, as well as other birds, is subject to vary both in size and 
colour from local causes, particularly from the abundance or 
want of food. We have seen a brace-of White Partridges, which 
were killed last year at Kittleburg in Suffolk : through the 
white, the markings of the feathers, on close inspection, faintly 
appear. 
The bills of young Partridges are dusky at the base, with horn- 
coloured tips. Those of the old ones are of a pale lead colour. 
The legs of the young birds have a yellow tinge, which in the 
old ones is changed to a blueish tint. 
3. P. Coturniz (Quail). 
This species used formerly to be very common in the neigh- 
bourhood of Diss. It is now become scarce, but still occasion- - 
ally breeds in that part of the country: and not long since two 
Quails’ nests were found by some workmen mowing clover. In 
one of them there were seventeen eggs ; in the other, twelve. We 
have also received its eggs from the neighbourhood of Hunstan- 
ton in Norfolk. These birds are also become scarce in those 
parts of Suffolk where they formerly abounded. 
Genus TEXY Oris. 
1. O. Tarda (Great Bustard). 
These noble birds still continue to breed in the open parts 
both of Norfolk and Suffolk, though they are become much 
1219 F 2 scarcer 
