Birds of Britain 



try to escape by running and squatting low on the ground 

 until closely approached, when they rise with their well- 

 known " whirr." The male has a short " crow," accompanied 

 usually by a rattling of the wings. 



No description of this well-known bird is needed. The 

 Chinese form only differs from the original breed in having 

 a white ring round the neck. 



THE PARTRIDGE 



Perdrix cinerea, Latham 



In England the Partridge is an exceedingly abundant 

 species, but in Scotland and Ireland, although, well distributed, 

 it is much more local. It is strictly monogamous, pairing 

 very early in the year, but nesting operations are rarely 

 commenced before the end of April or early in May. The 

 nest is a scrape in some hedge bottom, or on a grassy bank, 

 and often contains as many as fifteen to twenty eggs, which 

 are somewhat pyriform in shape, and of a uniform olive 

 brown in colour. This species chiefly inhabits the open 

 cultivated districts, where it feeds on various seeds and 

 grain, but in summer insects are largely consumed, and the 

 young are at first fed on them exclusively. 



During the early autumn and winter the various families 

 keep together, forming the well-known " coveys," but if the 

 weather be severe these birds will " pack " in large flocks 

 like Grouse. 



A description of this well-known bird is hardly necessary 



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