316 Birds. 



THE COMMON PARTRIDGE, (Perdix cinerea,) 



Is in weight about fourteen ounces. The plumage, 

 although it cannot boast of gaudiness, is very pleasing to 

 the eye, being a mixture of brown and fawn- colour, inter- 

 spersed with grey and ash-colour tints. The head is small 

 and pretty ; the beak strong, but short, and resembling 

 that of all other granivorous birds. The female lays fifteen 

 or eighteen eggs, and leads her brood in the corn-fields 

 with the utmost care. Young Partridges are among the 

 birds which run fleetly the moment they come out of 

 the shell, and may sometimes be found running with a 

 piece of the shell still remaining on their heads. The 

 affection of Partridges for their offspring is peculiarly 

 interesting. Both the parents lead them out to feed : 

 they point out to them the proper places for their food, 

 and assist them in finding it by scratching the ground 

 with their feet. They frequently sit close together, 

 covering the young ones with their wings; and from 

 this position they are not easily roused. If, however, 

 they are disturbed, most people acquainted with rural 

 affairs know the confusion that ensues. The male gives 

 the first signal of alarm, by a peculiar cry of distress ; 

 throwing himself at the same moment more immediately 



