The Partridges 95 



ground is no place for good dogs, and even if the 

 canines could work, the habits of the scaled par- 

 tridge would not recommend it to sportsmen. It 

 is an inveterate runner, a shy, wary creature, ever 

 ready to go sprinting away from the first sugges- 

 tion of danger, and only taking wing when sur- 

 prised or closely pressed. When flushed, its sole 

 idea appears to be to get to earth again as speedily 

 as may be and to resume its tireless trotting. It 

 is found at an altitude of six to seven thousand 

 feet, and descends to the lowlands during severe 

 weather, but never appears to seek cover. Its 

 food consists of seeds, berries, buds, leaves, and 

 insects, though grain is greedily devoured if op- 

 portunity offers. Its alarm note is a peculiar, 

 low, hollow-sounding, and apparently somewhat 

 ventriloquial effort. 



The pairs begin nesting in May, and two, and 

 sometimes three, broods are hatched during a 

 season. The nest is placed upon the ground 

 under any convenient shelter ; the eggs are light 

 buff, freckled with brownish spots, and the aver- 

 age number about a dozen. 



Were it not for its habit of running, this bird 

 might have proved a valuable addition to the 

 game list of the country, instead of being an 

 abomination to the sportsman, and a menace to 

 the subsequent usefulness of any dog unfortunate 

 enough to be sent after it. 



