RED PARTRIDGE. 217 



Manners. — As I cannot speak from observation of the habits 

 of the Red Partridge, of which the specimens above described 

 w^ere skins of birds shot in the south of England, I may be 

 excused from entering largely upon its history. It is said 

 to occur in various parts of Asia and Africa, and to be plen- 

 tiful in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the south of France, where 

 it inhabits the low grounds, feeding on seeds, grain, and in- 

 sects. It has also been found, though rarely, in Austria and 

 Bohemia, as well as Switzerland. In England, where it is 

 now not uncommon in some places, it is said to prefer waste 

 heathy ground to corn fields, and to afford less sport than 

 the common species, as it runs before the dogs, the individuals 

 composing a covey dispersing, and rising one after another. 

 It is accused moreover of driving oif the Common Partridge, 

 which it is feared may in time be extirpated by it, as the 

 Black Rat has been by the larger and more mischievous brown 

 species. 



Remarks. — M. Temminck states that there are eighteen 

 feathers in the tail, which is also the number he allots to the 

 Common Partridge ; but I have not succeeded in finding more 

 than sixteen in either. Mr. Jenyns also counts eighteen in 

 that of the latter bird. However, I must hold to the truth, 

 which I am pleased to find has in this case been held by Mon- 

 tagu to be as I have represented it. 



