Monthly Bulletin 7 



covert where for years, perhaps, he had known no partridge rival, the 

 thump-rup-nip-rup that came to him from the distance doubtless could 

 mean nothing but the taunting challenge of a giant foe — all the more 

 alluring by reason of his evident size and power. 



How otherwise can we explain that when Mr. Armstrong drove his 

 tractor down the woods lane that led to the potato field, all unsuspecting 

 of the presence of a partridge within miles, out ran Billy from the under 

 brush, crest up and ruffs extended — all bristling for a fight? Nothing 

 else could coax him from his retreats; but when the tractor was running 

 nothing could drive him away! So all Mr. Armstrong had to do, when 

 he wanted to exhibit his extraordinary bird to friends, was to back the 

 tractor from its shed and ride it down the lane. The friends, following 

 in the rear, seldom failed to enjoy the unusual experience of seeing a wild 

 partridge, not only absolutely devoid of fear, but actually permitting itself 

 to be picked up and handled in a manner to which even a domestic fowl 

 would not submit. 



Upon two occasions several of us visited the Armstrong " farm," 

 which is what the owner prefers to term the country estate near Schenec- 

 tady where he indulges his hobby in the intervals of scientific research for 

 the General Electric Company. 



At both visits Billy gave us his full line of tricks. The first time, as 

 we trailed behind the pulsating Steel Mule, it was almost uncanny, when 

 we had arrived in the neighborhood where we were told we might expect 

 the partridge at any moment, to turn and see him hastening after us in 

 the roadway. Then the fun began. Our host, who knew just the best 

 way of handling the bird, descended from the seat of the tractor (though 

 purposely letting the engine continue to run noisiljO and, bending down, 

 he talked to Billy, then gently raised the bird on his wrist. Returning 

 to the driver's seat he started the machine and for a while drove with the 

 partridge riding with him — standing sometimes upon his shoulder or 

 arm, sometimes upon the steering wheel. Meanwhile Mr. Armstrong 

 kept up a constant talking or whistling to his pet-from-the-wild. Billy 

 answered with a craking sound, similar to that sometimes made by hens, 

 but so low that it could be heard only at close range. 



Mr. Armstrong explained to us that Billy was always a little nervous 

 at first, and it was well for a familiar person alone to handle him, but that 

 within a few minutes he would be so self-possessed and free from fear that 

 the rest of us could play with him about as we wished. And so it proved. 

 We all picked him up, and stroked him, and looked into the depths of his 

 wild, free eye — for it was surely the eye of a wild, free creature, even 

 though he was momentarily a captive. We all admired with delightful 

 intimacy his glossy black ruff and the rich brown bars upon his plumage; 

 and we took notice especially of his clean, gray feet. 



When upon the ground Billy displayed a playful combativeness that 

 kept us in constant laughter. He would pluck at our trousers with his 

 bill, and peck vigorously at any hand that was extended toward him. 

 Into a pair of field glasses that were held before his eyes he gazed in truly 

 ludicrous fashion. As for taking photographs of him, while on the ground, 

 with the Graflex camera, it was well nigh impossible. He wanted to 

 " fight " the lens and, with arched neck, he would closely follow the camera, 

 while the photographer vainly attempted to back away a sufficient dis- 

 tance to get the bird in proper focus. 



