VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE. 147 



VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE. 



PLATE CXLIII. FIGURE I. 



Perdix Virgim'ana, LATHAM. JENYNS. 



ATIDIFICATION begins early in May. 

 -L ^ The nest, placed under or in some thick tuft 



of grass that shelters and conceals it, is described as 

 well covered with a hood, an opening being left at 

 one side for entrance, and is composed of leaves and 

 fine dry grass, both birds assisting in its fabrication. 



The eggs, from ten or twelve to fifteen or even 

 twenty-four in number, this latter quantity the joint 

 produce in all probability of two birds laying in the 

 same nest, are pure white, without any spots, and broad 

 at one end, but pointed at the other. 



The hen bird performs the task of incubation for 

 four weeks, and the whole family keep together till 

 the following spring. The young leave the nest at 

 once on being hatched, and are conducted forth by 

 the female in search of food, and from time to time 

 are sheltered under her wings, collected together by a 

 twittering cry. Should danger appear to threaten, she 

 displays extreme anxiety, boldly attacking an intruder, 

 or using every artifice and stratagem to draw him 

 away, feigning lameness, 'throwing herself in the path, 

 fluttering along, and beating the ground with her 



