BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



265 



Sits very closely, and is of very uneven temper. 

 Some individuals will suffer a great amount of 

 intrusion, and others will forsake their eggs upon 

 the slightest molestation. I have known a bird 

 with twenty-four eggs trodden upon whilst sitting, 

 andjalthough five of her treasures were broken she 

 came back and sat on the remainder. 



COMMON PARTRIDGE ON NEST. 



PARTRIDGE, RED-LEGGED. 



(Caccabis rufa.) 

 Order GALLING ; Family PHASIANID.E (PHEASANTS). 



Description of Parent Birds. 

 Length about thirteen inches 

 and a half. Bill short, curved 

 downwards, and red. Irides 

 red. Crown bright chestnut ; 

 back of neck, back, rump, 

 wing and tail-coverts, brownish ; 

 wing-quills darker and tipped 

 with light yellowish-brown; tail- 



RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE ON 

 NEST UNDER PLANT POT. 



