157 



Barbary, and from thence eastwards to Algeria, 

 where it is said to be common. In its habits it 

 closely resembles the other red-legged species, 

 selecting seed, grain, and insects as its favourite 

 food. The female chooses barren places and desert 

 mountains, where, among low bushes, she deposits 

 her eggs, to the number of fifteen. The eggs are 

 of a yellow hue, thickly dotted with greenish olive 

 spots. 



PARTRIDGE, COMMON. 



PEKDIX CIKEREA, Mont. 



The Partridge is generally distributed and per- 

 manently resident in cultivated lands, though it is 

 not peculiar to them. It thrives best in those 

 parts where an abundance of grain prevails. It is 

 fond of rambling into waste or pasture grounds, 

 which are covered with long grass, furze, or broom ; 

 but it seldom enters woods, and never perches on 

 trees. Its flight is direct, with rapid flaps of the 

 wings, producing a whirring noise, and it runs with 

 great speed. It feeds on grass, corn, grain, peas, 

 the seeds of various plants, and on insects, &c. &c. 

 During the middle of the day the Partridges 

 retire to bushes, or bask in the sun on dry banks 

 where they may be observed busily engaged 

 in dusting, and afterwards in pruning their 

 feathers. They roost upon the ground, gene- 



