36 PARTRIDGES 



(2) Feathers of neck. 



(a) In the male. (6) In the female. 



Ground colour, greyish Ground colour, olive 



brown to slate ; fine brown bars of black 



irregular bars of black; broader and more distinct; 



no shaft stripe. shaft stripe of pale buff. 



(3) Crown of head. 



(a) In the male. (6) In the female. 



Ground colour chestnut Ground colour chestnut 

 brown ; small shaft stripes brown ; larger shaft stripes 

 of same colour. of pale buff. 



Birds of the year may be distinguished 

 till November by the yellowish colour of 

 their legs and feet ; towards the close of 

 the year this is replaced by the slaty blue 

 of the adult, the under part of the feet 

 being the last to turn. A more certain 

 distinction is the shape of the first flight 

 feather of the wing, of which the end is 

 pointed in a young bird, and rounded in 

 birds which have undergone their second 

 autumn moult. 



Partridges from different districts vary 

 somewhat in appearance ; the finest speci- 

 mens, alike in bulk and richness of colora- 



