276 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE COMMON PAKTKIDGE. 

 (Perdix cinerea.) 

 Plate 59, Fig, 5. 



The Partridge is a resident in all the cultivated districts of the 

 British Islands where game is preserved. Its range begins where 

 that of the Red-legged Partridge and its allies ceases. West of a 

 line from Brussels to Venice the Common Partridge is rare or 

 local, and apparently in the process of being exterminated by the 

 stronger species. In Scandinavia it almost reaches the Arctic 

 circle, but is very local, being continually partially exterminated 

 by severe winters. In West Russia it occurs as far north as 

 lat. 60°, but in East Russia only to lat. 58°, and as far south as 

 the Caucasus ; east of these mountains it ranges into Central Asia 

 and North Persia. In West Siberia it is found as far north as 

 lat. 57°, where it appears to be migratory, wintering in North 

 Turkestan. 



The nest is a very slight structure, and consists of a few dry 

 grasses and dead leaves, or other vegetable substances, scratched 

 together in a slovenly manner. 



The eggs of the Partridge are usually from ten to fifteen or 

 twenty in number, but sometimes many more are discovered ; 

 as many as thirty- three have been known, but it is very probable 

 that these large clutches are the produce of more than one female. 

 The eggs are pale olive-brown without markings, and resemble 

 very closely those of the Pheasant, but are much smaller ; they 

 vary in length from 15 to 132 inch, and in breadth from 11 5 to 

 1"05 inch. White and pale bluish-green varieties are sometimes 

 found. The shell is smooth and possesses considerable gloss. 



THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 

 (Perdix rufa.)* 



Plate 59, Fig. 8. 



The Red-legged Partridge is principally confined to the eastern 



counties of England. Its range is very restricted, and it is a 



species of the extreme south-western portions of Europe. It is 



of very accidental occurrence in Belgium, local and rare in the 



* Caccabis rufa — Saunders, Manual, p. 489. 



