222 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
away with extraordinaxgeviolence until the impel- 
ling force is spent, when it slopes gradually towards 
the earth, the distance it is able to accomplish at a 
flight being from 800 to 1500 yards. This flight it 
can repeat when driven up again as many as three 
times, after which the bird can rise no more, 
The call of the Great Partridge is heard, in fine 
weather, at all seasons of the year, especially near 
sunset, and is uttered while the bird sits concealed 
in the grass, many individuals answering each other ; 
for although I call it a solitary bird, many birds are 
usually found living near each other. The song or 
call is composed of five or six notes of various length, 
with a mellow flute-like sound, and so expressive 
that it is, perhaps, the sweetest bird-music heard on 
the pampas. 
The eggs are usually five in number, nearly round, 
highly polished, and of a dark reddish-purple or 
wine colour; but this beautiful tint in a short time 
changes to a dull leaden hue. The nest is a mere 
scrape, insufficiently lined with a few grass-leaves. 
The young birds appear to leave the mother (or 
father, for it is probable that the male hatches the 
eggs) at a very early period. When still very small 
they are found living, like the adults, a solitary life, 
with their faculties, including those of flight and 
the musical voice, in a high state of perfection, 
