LOVE AND COURTSHIP 33 



like manner to her treasures and replaced upon her 

 eggs. She showed no alarm, but resumed her 

 motherly duties forthwith, and in due time hatched 

 off a fine covey of tiny partridges. Such instances 

 could easily be multiplied, but the facts are already 

 too well substantiated to stand in any need of repe- 

 tition on the present occasion. 



Much difference of opinion exists as to the bold- 

 ness or timidity of brooding partridges. Some birds 

 will allow a stranger to step up quietly to their nests 

 for a period of many successive days ; they seem to 

 comprehend that for themselves complete inaction 

 affords the best security. Such is really the case, and 

 very pretty the quiet creatures look as they cower 

 motionless, eyeing the intruder intently enough with 

 their bright bead-like eyes, yet fearful to expose their 

 eggs to danger by any ill-considered or hasty move- 

 ment. 



Some sportsmen think it unlucky to find a par- 

 tridge's nest. Certainly it is best that the majority 

 of nests should escape attention altogether. The 

 chances of the young birds chipping the eggshells 

 successfully is materially increased by their complete 

 seclusion. The misfortunes which attend the dis- 

 covery of a nest of eggs are not difficult to under- 

 stand. If symptoms of human interference exist, 



D 



