THE GAME-BIRDS. 249 



themselves with family affairs assume a plumage not un- 

 like that of the male. 



The nest, when on the ground, is a slight structure, 

 usually placed under cover. Eggs, 10 to 18, if inch; 

 glossy greenish-brown and spotless. When the hen, de- 

 serted by her mate, has to leave the nest, usually for water, 

 she is mindful to cover the eggs with leaves or bracken. 



The Partridge is a familiar bird in all the more cul- 

 tivated portions of these islands. It is indeed essentially 

 a bird of cultivation, and there are therefore 

 untilled districts in Scotland (particularly in 

 the isles) and Ireland where its distribution is local. It 

 was more abundant in Ireland ten years ago than to-day. 



Like the other game-birds, the partridge is swift of foot, 

 and to this, as well as to its protective colouring, the bird 

 prefers to trust. When flushed, however, the short wings 

 beat rapidly until the bird considers itself at a safe dis- 

 tance, when it glides for perhaps a hundred yards, alights 

 and runs a very little way, then looks back to see what its 

 disturber is about. But this procedure is perhaps too well 

 known to need mention, since partridges can be observed 

 any day in the fields, though, in the hurry of shooting, many 

 of their most interesting habits go unnoticed. The most 

 distinctive mark on the old partridge is the horseshoe on 

 the breast. These birds roost on the ground, a habit much 

 approved by stoats and foxes. They consume more insects 

 than the pheasant, and snails are a favourite article of food. 

 The partridge appears to have but one mate. The nest, not 

 unlike that of the pheasant, though smaller, is built in April. 

 Eggs, 12 to 18, nearly i% inch; olive brown and spotless. 



The French Partridge, introduced towards the end of 

 the last century, is most abundant in East Anglia, but 

 Bed-legged occurs in many other southern counties, though, 

 Partridge. f or some reason or other, it will not thrive in 

 Scotland or Ireland. It is a wretched bird to shoot unless 



