THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 



359 



the Lark, for enjoyment ; and as it does not perch in trees 

 it has no occasion for upward flight. Still, there are 

 occasions when Partridges rise to a considerable distance 

 from the ground, and this seems to be when they meditate 

 a longer flight than usual. 



A friend, to whom I am indebted for many valuable 

 notes on various birds, tells me that when a covey of Par- 

 tridges are disturbed by a pack of hounds, they lie close at 



THE COMMON PARTR1DGK. 



first, as if terrified by the noise and bent on concealing 

 themselves ; but when the pack actually comes on them 

 they rise to a great height, and fly to a distance which 

 may be measured by miles at least, so he supposes, as he 

 has watched them diminish and fade from the sight before 

 they showed any sign of preparing to alight. 



The Partridge, though decorated with no brilliant 

 colours, which would tend to thwart it in its habit of 



