ENEMIES OF THE PARTRIDGE 167 



Frequently, instead of rising over a hedge, 

 and thus risking a surprise attack from a quick 

 winged bird of prey, they steal through the 

 ditch and between the hawthorns before ventur- 

 ing to use their wings. Another circumstance 

 may be marked : the whirring noise of wing- 

 beats is not so loud when the cock partridge 

 takes to flight of his own free will as when he is 

 alarmed. It is, of course, only natural that a 

 bird, when forced to ascend hurriedly from the 

 ground, should make a greater commotion than 

 when haste is unnecessary. The wing-beats have 

 a language ; each pitch of sound indicates pre- 

 cisely some condition of alarm or contentment, 

 and its meaning is immediately known to the 

 members of the covey, and probably to every 

 other beast or bird within hearing. 



Partridges in hilly districts hereabouts show 

 decided fondness for nesting on a slope that 

 faces the morning sun, or on a plateau where 

 the sun shines continuously from dawn to dusk. 

 Such a place is generally dry and well sheltered. 

 It has also this advantage : in winter, when the 

 prevalent breeze blows from the high ground 

 above or behind this southern slope, the birds 

 can quickly escape from danger approaching 

 them down-wind. If alarmed, they rise against 

 the breeze, so that the air current, however 

 slight, catches their slanted wings and assists 



