148 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS 



unusually heavy birds, weighing respectively 19 oz. 

 and 19| oz., were shot in Norfolk (ZooL, 1886, p. 

 480). 



The general impression that Partridges which 

 "tower" when shot have received an injury to the 

 brain is erroneous. In numerous cases examined, 

 the peculiar action known to sportsmen as "tower- 

 ing" was found to be due to partial suffocation, 

 caused by injury to the lungs and escape of blood 

 into the air-passages. When a shot pellet injures 

 the jugular vein and windpipe, the blood flowing 

 from the former into the latter causes suff'ocation 

 and a loss of the sense of direction : the bird beats 

 its wings aimlessly, rises to a great height, and falls 

 when suffocation is complete. 



Great numbers of Hungarian Partridges, not 

 specifically distinct from ours, are annually im- 

 ported and turned out to increase and improve 

 the native stock. Those who have made such ex- 

 periments report favourably of the result (Field, 

 Oct. 28, and Nov. 4 and 11, 1893). Instructions for 

 turning out are given. Field, Jan. 16, 1897 ; Jan. 

 22, 29, and Feb. 5, 1898. Under natural conditions 

 incubation lasts twenty-one days ; but in an incu- 

 bator 80 per cent, of Partridges' eggs hatched on 

 the twenty-fourth day (Evans, Ibis, 1891, p. 75). 



A good method of rearing Partridges, as adopted 

 by a Hampshire gamekeeper, is described, Field, 

 March 23, 1889. For an interesting account of "a 

 tame covey," reared under a bantam hen, taking to 

 the fields by day and returning to be fed, see Field, 



