298 



GROUSE. 



The young feed on small insects, larvae, and the eggs of insects : 

 the old ones lead them to the places where these are deposited, 

 and scrape away the mould. An ant-hill in a friable soil is a fat 

 pasture, and multitudes of the ants and larvae arc eaten by young 

 partridges. 



.U \- 



Fig. 151.— The Red-legged Partridge (Perdix ruja.) 



The Red-legged Partridge {Pcrdix rufa) a species abundant in France, 

 Italy, and Spain, has within the last few years been introduced intothis country, 

 and in various parts has multiplied considerably, much to the mjury of our 

 native partridge, which it fiercely persecutes. Its tlesh is very inferior to that 

 of our own bird, and the sportsman, to his annoyance, finds that the new- 

 comers, instead of rising, run, thus soon spoiling the behaviour of his best- 

 trained pointers. The red-legged partridge is, however, very beautiful, having 

 the feathers of the sides ornamented with a series of crescent-shaped bars of 

 black, white, and chestnut. 



Sub-Family II. 

 THE FRANCOLINS. FRA^XOLINI^^E. 



The Francolins arc found in the warmer parts of the Old 

 World, especially on the continent of Africa. Some species inhabit 

 level plains, while others live in forests, perching sometimes on 



