38 PARTRIDGES 



the mountains of Lorraine, and though 

 of less frequent occurrence in this country, 

 yet scattered instances occur in every 

 district where partridges are abundant, 

 nor is it by any means confined to 

 mountain and moorland, as some would 

 suppose. The uniform characteristic of 

 this variety is a more or less pronounced 

 tendency to a rich chestnut-brown or 

 rusty red colour which suffuses the 

 natural plumage in varying degree, the 

 most strongly marked specimens showing 

 an almost complete replica of the colora- 

 tion of a red grouse. 



The hill partridge is another well- 

 known, though unscientific, variety : he 

 has learnt to be independent of the 

 farmer, and is said only to mate with 

 his own race. Hill partridges are smaller 

 and darker in colour than the ordinary 

 partridge, and, until the winter sets in, 

 and they are hard put to it to eke out 

 a livelihood, are generally found to be 

 plump, well-conditioned, and of fine, wild 

 flavour on the table. 



