PARTRIDGE 355 



Partridge. These two nests were within a hundred 

 yards of each other. A third nest, very near the same 

 spot, was mentioned to me, but I had not time to go and 

 examine it. It appears that this species of Partridge is 

 on the increase in Kent, and being difficult to shoot, 

 will soon abound to the exclusion of the more valued 

 Enghsh Partridge."— August 11, 1873. 



Mr. T. Hepburn, in his notes on the birds at Dunge- 

 ness, writes : " May 13, 1900, found a nest of this species 

 built on the bank of one of the big sewers which drain 

 the marsh-land. Also saw several of the birds out on 

 the beach." 



Genus PERDIX, Brisson. 

 PAETEIDGE. 



Ferdix perdix (Limic'eus). ^S'.iV., i., p. 27G (1766). 



The well-known Partridge, especially to all lovers of 

 sport, and for the table, is still abundant throughout the 

 county, breeding in every district, whether preserved or 

 not. With regard to the size and weight of this bird 

 Mr. J. Gould writes: "A. Partridge exceeding a pound 

 in weight is rarely met with, in the whole course of my 

 shooting I never killed but one, this was at Preston Hall 

 in Kent." 



In Yarrell's British Birds it is stated that " dry 

 summers are particularly favourable to the breeding of 

 Partridges." This depends on the soil, as to their living, 

 because on clay soils the young birds are liable to fall 

 into the large cracks in the earth. 



Mr. J. W. Hulke, of Deal, in writing to the Zoologist, 

 1849, on the migration of the Common Partridge, 

 says : " On November 29, 1848, some men in a fishing 



