650 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



striving children. Their selfishness forbids all mutual 

 alliance, and they only find safety from each other in 

 roaming solitude. 



The Partridge is not partial to the depths of the for- 

 est, though they sometimes seek the shelter of trees and 

 perch on the low branches, or hide amongst the brush 

 and underwood. Their favorite food, however, common- 

 ly conducts them to the open fields, where they glean up 

 various kinds of grain, and are particularly fond of rye 

 and buckwheat, as well as Indian corn ; and, when not 

 too much disturbed by the sportsman, will often, particu- 

 larly in the autumn and winter, fearlessly assemble along 

 the most public roads, or around the barn and stable, in 

 search of a scanty pittance among the domestic fowls ; 

 like them also very industriously scratching up straw, 

 and probably the ground, in quest of grain and insects ; 

 which, with seeds,* and various kinds of buds and berries, 

 as well as broken acorns, according to the season, often 

 constitute a considerable part of their native diet. 



Remaining with us commonly the whole year, thj lit- 

 tle social band often suffer from the inclemency of the 

 seasons. At this time, they perch together on some ris- 

 ing ground, beneath the shelter of brush or briars, and 

 formino" a close circle, with their heads outward to dis- 

 cern any approach of danger, they thus greatly aid each 

 other by their mutual warmth to resist the chilling effects 

 of frost. It is probable, however, they have no great 

 fear of snow, when together, as they may often be seen 

 patiently encountering the storm, as its white wreaths 

 invade them, and frequently on the arrival of a thaw, 

 unfortunate coveys, suspecting no danger, are found 

 buried beneath the inundating waste, huddled together 



* Among others, the oily seeds of the common Bitter- weed or Amhrosia bipinnat{fi- 

 da, according to the information of Mr. Cakes. 



