IN THE NORTH OF KENT 71 
flight of the young birds at once distinguishes 
them from the old ones. When ‘ walked 
up’ to be shot, all the birds of a covey rise 
almost all at once. French partridges breed 
in the same way, but they do not rise in 
coveys. The nests of both kinds are made 
on the ground in some convenient spot in 
fields or at the bottom of hedges. Both 
species lay approximately the same number of 
eggs. The eggs of the French bird are yellow- 
ish white, with a reddish tinge, and have 
brownish-red spots and specks. Those of 
the English bird are yellowish with a tint of 
ereenish brown without any spots. The call of 
the English cock bird is very melancholy. 
It sounds to my ear like a ‘ too-dle-oo ° 
from a wooden wind instrument. If the 
cock bird gets separated from the covey 
or the hen, he will call for a long time till 
he finds them. If well imitated and the 
caller keeps quite still, the bird can be de- 
ceived and made to approach the watcher. 
The males fight fiercely with each other in the 
breeding season. Partridges are about twelve 
