208 PTARMIGAN AND PARTRIDGE. 



the most sequestered hills. Their food consists of the 

 mountain-berries and the tops of heath. 



THE WHITE GAME, OR PTARMIGAN. 



This species is of nearly the same size as the red-game, 

 and is equally valued for its flesh. In these kingdoms it 

 is found only on the summits of the highest hills in the 

 Highlands of Scotland, in the Hebrides, and the Orkneys, 

 the mountains of Wales, and near Keswick, in Cumber- 

 land. 



THE PARTRIDGE. 



Though the partridge is incapable of domestication, it 

 lives no less under the protection of man (at least in this 

 country) than if it were private property. It may change 

 its master indeed ; but is always supposed to belong to 

 persons of a certain rank. If any one not qualified (that 

 is, a poor man) should kill it, he becomes liable to 

 certain penalties, and even imprisonment ; yet the farmer 

 is obliged to maintain it, though he often has not the 

 smallest interest in its preservation ! 



The partridge is found in every country and climate ; 

 as well in the hyperborean regions as under the tropical 

 circles. Wherever it resides, it seems to adapt itself to 

 the nature of the climate. In Greenland it is brown in 

 summer ; but in winter it becomes white, and is clothed 

 with a warm down beneath. 



The manners and habits of these birds, in many respects, 

 resemble those of the domestic poultry, but their cunning 

 and instincts are much superior. Accustomed to hostile 

 aggression, they practise several little arts of evasion for 

 safety, and frequently with success. 



Partridges make no nests, properly speaking, but lay 

 their eggs on any spot of ground adapted to that purpose. 

 A covey generally consists of from ten to fifteen ; and it 

 is supposed that a partridge will live about fifteen years, 

 though it is seldom permitted to reach that period. Corn- 

 fields are the principal delight of this much-valued bird, 



