THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 



districts, the young are not more than half grown. 

 The nest is formed, or rather the spot where the eggs 

 are to be deposited, is scraped out in some ready made 

 hollow or furrow, or placed under cover of a tuft of 

 grass, and from twelve to twenty eggs are deposited. 

 This mode of nidification prevails through the whole 

 genus. No nest is made, and often no great care 

 of concealment is displayed. In cultivated countries 

 the young grasses and corns are their favourite 

 breeding places, the former often fatal from the hay- 

 harvest having commenced before the brood is 

 hatched. The choice of a place of security for their 

 eggs are not always the same, for Montague mentions 

 a pair which successively selected the top of an old 

 pollard oak, and Mr Selby writes of having known 

 several parallel cases. It is a singular trait in the 

 habits of many birds, that those often of a wild na- 

 ture will select the most frequented parts for their 

 nests. Both partridges and pheasants are often dis- 

 covered with the nest placed within two or three 

 feet of a highway or foot paih, where there is a 

 daily passage of men and animals. The parents, as 

 if knowing their safety depended on sitting close, 

 remain quiet amidst all the bustle, and often hatch 

 in such places. 



During incubation the male sedulously attends, 

 and will generally be found near if the female is in- 

 truded upon by any of her less formidable enemies. 

 When the brood is hatched, both lead about the young 

 and assist them to their food ; and mild arid timid 



