larvae ; in the autumn, wheat, oats, barley, and even peas and beans are 

 obtained in the stubbles, while small seeds of various kinds, and the shoots of 

 all kinds of plants, are sought for along the hedgerows. 



Partridges roost on the ground, on some bare spot in the open fields, 

 where they can detect the approach of danger from any side. They generally 

 sit in a small circle, heads outwards, and as soon as the alarm-note is given 

 they fly quickly off in different directions, not to gather again till daylight. 



The note of the Partridge is a peculiar one, and can be heard at a great 

 distance on account of its loud, high-pitched tone. It is heard principally in 

 the morning and evening, and is most persistently uttered during the pairing 

 season. It may be represented on paper by the syllables ' kir-r-r-r-rik^ the 

 latter syllable being often repeated many times rapidly. 



Partridges are said to pair for life, or at least for so long as their lives 

 are spared by the shooters. Late in February or early in March the coveys 

 break up, but eggs are seldom found before May. The Partridge nests on 

 the ground, choosing a site in some thick hedge-bottom, under a whin bush, 

 in some dry ditch where the coarse vegetation is dense and tangled, or 

 among standing corn or clover. Sometimes it will choose a very exposed 

 situation on some bank beside a footpath, and it is wonderful how it often 

 escapes discovery in such places. The nest is a very slight structure, merely 

 a few dry leaves and grasses gathered together in some hollow, among which 

 the eggs are allowed to lie half covered up. The male bird is very attentive 

 to his mate, and keeps guard over the nest, driving off all intruders of his 

 own species. 



From ten to twenty eggs are laid, sometimes many more, but it is 

 probable that very large clutches are the produce of more than one female. 

 They are pale olive brown, without markings of any kind, and the shell is 

 smooth and very glossy ; pale bluish green and white varieties are sometimes 

 found. The eggs vary in length from i'5 to 1-30 inch, and in breadth from 

 1*15 to I'd inch. It is doubtful whether the Partridge ever rears a second 

 brood. 



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