RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE 



FRENCH PARTRIDGE. 



PLATE CXLII. FIGURE II. 



Caccabis rufa LINNVEUS. 



Perdix rufa, ...... MONTAGU. 



THE nest of the Red-legged Partridge is made of grass 

 and a few feathers of the bird itself, and is placed on 

 the ground among corn, grass, clover, or growing crops. 



Mr. Jesse says that a clergyman in the county of 

 Norfolk found the nest in the thatch of a hay-rick, and 

 informed him that such is no unfrequent occurrence. Other 

 similar instances are mentioned. 



The eggs are usually from ten to fifteen in number : as 

 many as eighteen have been sometimes found. They are 

 of a reddish yellow-white colour, spotted and speckled with 

 reddish brown. The young leave the nest soon after being 

 hatched. The male takes no part in the incubation of the 

 eggs, and leaves the care of the brood to their mother till 

 they are half grown, when he returns to them, and con- 

 tinues with them till the following spring. 



130 



