196 OUR BIRD ALLIES. 
CHAPTER: XI 
GAME BIRDS, GULLS, ETC. 
THE PARTRIDGE—Its great value to the farmer—Partridges in 
turnip-fields—The Partridge and the cabbage butterfly— 
Domestic arrangements of the Partridge—A mutual agree- 
ment—The Pheasant and the grub of the daddy-long-legs 
—The Great Plover—Its melancholy cry—Food of the 
bird—Its ‘‘ nest ” and eggs—The Lapwing and its services 
—Maternal solicitude—Egegs of the Lapwing—The Corn- 
crake—Its talent for concealment—Food of the Corn-crake 
—Its want of architectural skill—GuLLs—Scavengers of 
the sea—Gulls as the friends of the farmer—The Black- 
headed Gull—Summer and winter plumage—Nesting- 
grounds—The Common Gull—Its value to the agricul- 
turist—Nest and eggs. 
ALTHOUGH there is little danger that the Partridge 
will ever be persecuted, save during the legitimate 
season, owing to mistaken notions as to the character 
of its influence, it is so valuable a bird that it must by 
no means be passed by without notice. It is mis- 
chievous at times, no doubt, and is apt to cause a 
considerable amount of damage in the corn-fields. 
But against this we must set its services in the 
destruction of injurious insects, and, more especially, 
of that highly-obnoxious creature, the grub of the 
turnip saw-fly. 
This is an insect whose powers of mischief are 
