PARTRIDGE. 375 



When first taken they are very wild, but 

 in the course of a few weeks, become 

 accustomed to the presence of the person 

 having them in charge. 



They should be plentifully supplied with 

 water, in large flat pans, as they are fond 

 of drinking and bathing frequently; and 

 they should be fed on buckwheat, wheat, 

 rye, broken corn, and occasionally a little 

 hemp-seed. 



The proper season of setting them free 

 for breeding, is in the last of March, or 

 early in April, if the season be open; and 

 this must be done by placing a single pair 

 in a cage at a time, and setting it with 

 the door open on the edge of a thicket, or 

 wood, near wide spread fields, the person 

 having them concealing himself from 

 view. They will then run out together 

 and hide themselves, without being sepa- 

 rated. 



