438 



The Bird 



fowl, except perhaps the big and pugnacious swans, who 

 can take better care of themselves, and lay onl}^ five 

 eggs or fewer. The long-legged wading birds also, such 

 as the storks, ibises, herons, and the like, are fairly safe 

 in the breeding season, because they nest in trees, as 

 a rule, (Fig. 356,) and consequently we here find only two 



Fig. 348. — Nest and eggs of California Partridge. 



to four young in the annual brood; so with the snake- 

 birds. 



''This brings us to the game-birds — the world-wide 

 tribes of partridges, pheasants, grouse, turkeys, jungle fowls, 

 peacocks, and the like — which are of large size, run about 

 on the ground, and are of interest to sportsmen and epi- 

 cures. With few exceptions, these must put forth a 



