THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE 225 
in the morning and middle of the day, and vary in size according 
to the abundance of their favourite food. In some districts of 
France, it is said, the weight ot the Partridges found on an estate is 
considered as a fair standard test of the productiveness of the soil 
and of the state of agricultural skill. 
Most people are familiar with the distich : 
If the Partridge had the Woodcock’s thigh, 
It would be the best bird that e’er did flie; 
but every one does not know that the saying was in vogue among 
epicures in the reign of Charles II. 
THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE 
CACCABIS RUFA 
Throat and cheeks white, surrounded by a black band, which spreads itself 
out over the breast and sides of the neck in the form of numerous spots 
and lines, with which are intermixed a few white spots; upper plumage 
reddish ash; on the flanks a number of crescent-shaped spots, the con- 
vexity towards the tail rust-red, the centre black, bordered by white ; 
beak, orbits, and feet, bright red. Length thirteen and a half inches. 
Eggs dull yellow, spotted and speckled with reddish brown and ash 
colour. 
THe Red-legged Partridge, called also the French and Guernsey 
Partridge, is a stronger and more robust bird than the common 
species, which it also greatly surpasses in brilliancy of colouring. 
As some of its names indicate, it is not an indigenous bird, but a 
native of the south of Europe, whence it was first introduced into 
England in the reign of Charles I1. To Willughby, who lived at 
that period, it was unknown except as a native of the continent of 
Europe and the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Towards the close 
of the last century it was re-introduced into Suffolk, where it has 
become numerous ; so much so, indeed, in some places, as to have 
gained the better of the common species for a time. 
Its flight is rapid, but heavier and more noisy than that of the 
Common Partridge. It is less patient of cold, and less able to elude 
the attacks of birds of prey. It is quite a terrestrial bird, very slow 
in taking flight, and never perching except when hard pressed, when, 
on rare occasions, it takes refuge among’ the thick branches of an 
oak or pinaster ; here it considers itself safe, and watches the move- 
ments of the dogs with apparent unconcern. Sometimes, too, when 
closely hunted, it takes shelter in a rabbit’s burrow or the hole of a 
tree ; but under ordinary circumstances it runs rapidly before the 
dogs, and frequently disappoints the sportsman by rising out of shot. 
The Grey or Common Partridge frequents rich cultivated lands ; the 
Red Partridge prefers uncultivated plains, ‘ which summer converts 
into burning causeways, winter into pools of water—monotonous 
landes, where skeletons of sheep pasture without variation on heath 
B.B. Q 
