118 BRITAIN S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 

 THE PARTRIDGE 



(Perdix cinerea). 

 Plate 39. 



The common or gray Partridge is perhaps the most 

 familiar Game-bird to the majority of people, because it 

 does not haunt the distant moorland or the strictly 

 guarded coverts, but has its home on the open low 

 ground and on agricultural land of all sorts. There it 

 is a most familiar sight, squatting, running, hiding again, or 

 somewhat reluctantly taking wing with a low, heavy, but 

 rapid whirring flight. Still more familiar, perhaps, is its 

 loud, harsh cry. It begins with a drawn-out note as 

 rasping as the Corncrake's, and ends with a sort of cluck. 

 Well has the poet described it as ' Like a rusty key 

 tm-ned in a lock.' It is heard more often at morn and 

 at dusk than during the day. 



The Partridge is abundant and widespread in England ; 

 less so in Ireland. In Scotland it is rather local, the 

 higher grounds and outlying islands not being suitable to 

 its habits. Whether the Partridge is as strictly sedentary 

 as our other Game-birds appear to be is very doubtful. 

 Abroad it has occurred on the island of Heligoland, and 

 some of the continental races are certainly migratory. 

 Little attention appears to have been given to the 

 question as regards the British Isles. 



The Partridge is monogamous, pairing early in the 

 year. Late in April or early in May the eggs are laid 

 in the usual slight nest on the ground. They may 

 number a dozen or so ; the much larger clutches often 

 recorded are always under the suspicion of being the 

 produce of more than one hen laying together, as 



