148 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



specimens were obtained in the mountains of Lorraine, but 

 fine examples have also been procured in Northumberland, 

 Cheshire, and Wiltshire in England, as well as from other 

 localities, and there can be no doubt that this form is merely 

 a sport of nature or accidental variety in which the chestnut 

 colour pervades the whole plumage. Equally perfect examples 

 of both sexes have been obtained. Grey, cream-coloured, and 

 white examples of the Common Partridge are sometimes met 

 with, but are by no means common, and generally prove to be 

 birds of the year, probably because birds of peculiar plumage 

 are generally shot down or killed by birds of prey, &c, while 

 still young, being more conspicuous than their neighbours. 



Nest. — A slight hollow in the ground, roughly lined with a 

 few dry grasses, &c, and sheltered by rough grass, growing 

 crops, or bushes. 



Eggs. — Ten to fifteen, and sometimes as many as twenty, 

 in shape pointed ovals; uniform pale olive-brown in colour. 

 Average measurements, 1*4 by i*i inch. 



SUB.-SP. a. THE MIGRATORY PARTRIDGE. PERDIX DAMASCENA. 



Perdix da??iascena, Briss. Orn. i. p. 223 (1760), et auctorum. 

 Starna rinerea, var. peregria?ia, Tschusi u. de la Torre, Ornis. 

 1888, p. 250. 



This sub-species or race is perfectly similar in plumage to 

 the Common Partridge, and appears to be merely a smaller 

 high-ground or Alpine form of the latter species, but the feet 

 and toes, and apparently also the bill, are yellowish in the 

 adult, instead of horn-grey. Total length, about 10 inches; 

 wing, 5-9 ; tail, 3*1 ; tarsus, 1*4. 



Large flocks of the Migratory Partridge visit the plains of 

 Southern and Central Europe during the cold season, and are 

 reported not to associate with birds of the common species. 

 It seems probable that this supposed sub-species may prove to 

 be founded on certain individuals of the Common Partridge 

 which inhabit the higher elevations throughout its range, and 



