PAETRIDGES. 411 



themselves to a limited extent of country, in which they pass 

 their lives. They never leave this except by accident. In it 

 they make choice of a sanctum in which to take shelter when 

 pursued ; this is called by sportsmen a " cover." 



Partridges are monogamous ; they pair early in the year, which 

 union does not cease until the following spring. 



In certain species, such as the Red Partridge, where the females 

 are less numerous than the males, a great number of the latter 

 remain single. As the cocks do not willingly resign themselves 

 to single blessedness, but make many attempts to avoid it at the 

 expense of their neighbours, this is the cause of frequent quarrels. 

 These conflicts at last come to an end the various pairs are 

 firmly united ; and the unsuccessful candidates for affection, who 

 object to making up their minds to live as hermits, ultimately 

 combine together. 



The attachment of the male to the female is deserving of admi- 

 ration. At the time for laying, the hen bird makes a hole in the 

 earth, which she lines with grass and leaves, and in it deposits 

 her eggs, to the number of twelve or fifteen, and sometimes even 

 twenty or more. The season of incubation follows after, which 

 lasts twenty days at least. During this time the male bird watches 

 over his companion, and guards her from danger. When the 

 young are hatched, paternal affection is added to conjugal love, 

 and a portion of the father's care is devoted to the young brood. 

 He accompanies them in their wanderings; he teaches them to 

 catch grubs, finds ants' eggs, and shows himself as skilful as the 

 mother in guarding them from attacks of their enemies. At the 

 appearance of the sportsman or dog the male utters a cry of 

 alarm, which warns the young ones of their danger, and enjoins 

 them to seek concealment. Drooping his wings in order to induce 

 the intruder to follow him, he pretends to fly away. At the same 

 time the female proceeds in another direction ; and alighting at 

 some distance off, she runs back to her family, reassembles them, 

 and leads them to a place of security, where they are soon joined 

 by the male bird. The above is one of the ingenious stratagems 

 by which the young brood is defended from pursuit. 



Some weeks after they are hatched, the young Partridges are 

 fit to fly and to provide for their own wants. As we have already 



