192 RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 



to rear ; the best way to obtain them is to pen a few birds, and 

 then substitute their eggs for those of the common hen, under 

 whose care they would grow up, and become famiUar with their 

 future home, more certainly than hand-reared birds. 



Genus— CACCABIS. 

 CACCABIS RUFA— Red-legged Partridge. 



When milder autumn summer's heat succeeds, 

 And in the new-shorn field the Partridge feeds. 



Pope — Windsor Forest. 



The Guernsey, or French Partridge, as this handsome bird is 

 often called, is a native of the South of Europe, and generally 

 plentiful on the Continent. It is said to have been first intro- 

 duced into England by Charles II., who turned out some birds in 

 the neighbourhood of Windsor ; and, afterwards, by the Duke of 

 Northumberland, the Marquis of Hertford, Lord Rendlesham 

 (c. 1770), and other noblemen. But the most successful intro- 

 duction was by Lord de Ros and Alvanly at Culford, near Bury 

 St. Edmunds, in 1823. Since that time, the Red-legged Partridge 

 has been plentiful in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Herts, Essex, Bucks, 

 and Middlesex ; and wanders occasionally into other counties. 

 About fifty years ago, the Red-legged Partridge was introduced on 

 the Homend, and Canon-ffrome estates, but they have long since 

 been destroyed, and not a single bird has been seen there for many 

 years. 



The Red-legged Partridge prefers open uncultivated districts 

 with bushy heath, or commons, in preference to arable land ; but 

 they will frequent cultivated ground, where bushes are plentiful. 

 The birds will run before the dogs like an old cock Pheasant, and 

 will not rise if they can help it. They are not therefore in much 

 favour with sportsmen. They will, too, occasionally perch on trees, 

 or even on a gate, or a rail. 



