214 PERDIX. PARTRIDGE. 



speed, conceal themselves from danger by skulking among the 

 herbage and shrubs, and emit a harsh or creaking cry. The 

 nest is slight, in a hollow scraped in the soil ; the eggs are 

 numerous, generally unspotted ; the young are at first covered 

 with down, and run about immediately after exclusion, their 

 parents leading them with great tenderness, and feigning lame- 

 ness to draw their enemies from them. 



The largest of our two species is properly speaking a native of 

 France and other countries of Europe, but has been introduced 

 into the south of England, in some parts of which it is not so 

 uncommon as not to merit a place here as a naturalized bird. 



