GREY PARTRIDGE. 225 



generally wanting ; and the four middle tail-feathers are 

 barred. 



Remarks. — The Partridge thrives in a state of captivity 

 when properly fed, but refuses to breed in that condition. It 

 is said by authors to be very extensively distributed in Europe 

 and Africa ; and, although a permanent resident in some coun- 

 tries, to be migratory in others. As might be expected in a 

 bird apparently so dependent upon the labours of man for shel- 

 ter and subsistence, the Partridge varies considerably in size, 

 it being found that in the valleys of the hilly and little culti- 

 vated districts it usually attains a smaller size than in the rich 

 plains, where it finds an abundant supply of nutritious food. 

 Even birds and quadrupeds which do not approach the haunts 

 of man exhibit considerable diversity in this respect, according 

 to the scarcity or abundance of food in the districts inhabited 

 by them ; but it is chiefly, I believe, in the phytophagous tribes 

 that this takes place. Slight differences as to size in Ptarmi- 

 gans can no more be accounted specific distinctions than in 

 Partridges, and the dimensions of the latter vary just as much 

 as those of the former. 



