THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 363 



Most people are familiar with, the distich : 



" If the Partridge had the Woodcock's thigh, 

 It would be the best bird that e'er did flie ; " 



but every one does not know that the saying was in vogue 

 among epicures in the reign of Charles II. 



THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 



PERDIX RUFA. 



Throat and cheeks white, surrounded by a black band, which spreads itself out 

 over the breast and sides of the neck in the form of numerous spots and lines, 

 with which are intermixed a few white spots ; upper plumage reddish ash ; 

 on the flanks a number of crescent-shaped spots, the convexity towards the 

 tail rust-red^ the centre black, bordered by white ; beak, orbits, and feet, bright 

 red. Length thirteen and a half inches. Eggs dull yellow, spotted and speckled 

 with reddish brown and ash colour. 



THE Red-legged Partridge, called also the French and 

 Guernsey Partridge, is a stronger and more robust bird 

 than the common species, which it also greatly surpasses 

 in brilliancy of colouring. As some of its names indicate, 

 it is not an indigenous bird, but a native of the south of 

 Europe, whence it was first introduced into England in 

 the reign of Charles II. To Willughby, who lived at that 

 period, it was unknown except as a native of the continent 

 of Europe and the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Towards 

 the close of the last century it was re-introduced into 

 Suffolk, where it has become numerous ; so much so, 

 indeed, in some places, as to have gained the better of the 

 common species. 



Its flight is rapid, but heavier and more noisy than that 

 of the common Partridge. It is less patient of cold, and 

 less able to elude the attacks of birds of prey. It is quite 

 a terrestrial bird, very slow in taking flight, and never 

 perching except when hard pressed, when, on rare occasions, 

 it takes refuge among the thick branches of an oak or 

 pinaster; here it considers itself safe, and watches the move- 

 ments of the dogs with apparent unconcern. Sometimes, 



