NATURAL HISTORY 31 



partridge being equally mischievous in 

 the spring. 



They suffered and survived severe 

 persecution ; keepers trampled on their 

 nests, and generally treated them as 

 vermin ; now, however, they have been 

 restored to favour, their value on driving 

 ground admitted, and on most estates, 

 where they exist, they are encouraged 

 and preserved. 



Apart from the peculiar propensities 

 above mentioned, the life-habits of the 

 red-leg are very similar to those of the 

 common partridge. They seem to prefer 

 waste lands, commons, or heath in the 

 vicinity of cultivation ; object to grass 

 lands even more strongly than their 

 cousins, yet seem to do well on heavy 

 clay soil where the English bird fails. 

 They would always rather trust to their 

 legs than their wings for escape from 

 danger, in which event the covey breaks 

 up, each bird fending for himself. Their 

 flight, when they do get up, is rapid and 

 short; they hardly ever swerve, but fly 



