THE PARTRIDGE AND QUAIL. 305 



in the most exposed situations. The eggs, in colour, 

 exactly resemble those of the Pheasant, but are only 

 half the size. Although the Partridge is not a poly- 

 gamous bird, still its eggs, like those of game birds in 

 general, are large in number. It is no unfrequent thing 

 to find twenty eggs, while twelve and eighteen are of 

 common occurrence. I consider it doubtful whether the 

 birds lay again if their first clutch is destroyed ; but the 

 matter is hard to learn, as we have no means of identify- 

 ing the birds. Colour is the Partridge's protective power, 

 and notice how closely her plumage corresponds with 

 the colours of the surroundings, made even more effectual 

 in the usually dark situation of the nest. She will remain 

 sitting upon her eggs, trying her protective wiles to the 

 utmost, and will often allow you to stroke her gently 

 with the hand. If rudely disturbed she will often flutter, 

 as if wounded, and with drooping wings try her utmost 

 to lead you from her treasured eggs. Like the Pheasant, 

 the Partridge on leaving home voluntarily covers her 

 eggs, and I do not believe the male bird sits upon them 

 at all. The young, however, are tended by both parents, 

 and should you disturb them, the old birds rear and 

 tumble before you, or fly rapidly off, and the young ones 

 crouch close to the ground, and by that means seek to 

 evade the danger. 



Few things are more pleasing than to watch the 

 actions of a brood of young Partridges and their parents. 

 See how proudly the old birds w'alk about, and how 

 closely the little ones follow them, to pick up the food, 

 their low whistling notes sounding pleasantly, and har- 

 monising with the whole scene. Notice how every few 

 moments the old birds look warily around, and as the 

 wandering Hawk glides swiftly across the sky, observe how, 

 with a warning note, she gathers them beneath her wings, 



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