PARTRIDGE. 35 1 



alternation of quick vibrations of its short, rounded wings, 

 and glides with still wings bowed. The tail is spread when 

 the bird rises, plainly showing the chestnut outer feathers. 

 The family parties not only keep together through the winter, 

 but join forces with others, and as coveys roost and feed 

 together, the social habit gives some protection from many 

 enemies. Pairing begins in February, sometimes earlier, and 

 for some weeks there are constant running fights, and much 

 challenging, before mating difficulties are solved. There is 

 little or no bloodshed in these contests, but much healthy 

 exercise. By the end of the month the covey has split into 

 pairs, and the creaky calls, which cannot be expressed by any 

 combination of letters, become infrequent. Though coddled 

 less than the Pheasant, the Partridge gets protection by the 

 removal of its predatory foes, and doubtless its habits are 

 thereby influenced. Yet to a great extent it retains the pro- 

 tective colour which on certain soils and in herbage aids con- 

 cealment, and has not lost the instinct to lie still and benefit by 

 this gift. In a root-field it is entirely screened, and even on 

 the stubbles it is not unlike a clod of earth when viewed from 

 a distance ; it is most active in the early morning and towards 

 night, lying in quiet little groups during most of the day. 

 Though not so catholic in its tastes as the Pheasant, it is fairly 

 omnivorous, and is a great devourer of insects and other small 

 invertebrates, but grain, grass, fresh shoots, and seeds of all 

 kinds give variety. During the recent over-abundance of the 

 antler moth, CharcBas gra^nmis^ many Partridges ihvaded the 

 upper pastures to feed on the swarming caterpillars. 



The nest is well concealed, a hollow in thick vegetation in a 

 hedgerow or beneath a bush ; it is lined with grass and leaves, 

 and these last are used to cover the ten to twenty olive-brown 

 eggs (Plate 148) when the sitting bird leaves them. The period 

 of paired felicity is long, eggs being seldom laid before the end 

 of April or in May, and summer nests, even in August, are not 



