Partridges Natural History. 77 



in the angles of the field, or beneath the hedgerow. Some- 

 times in a spinney, or the broken ground and low covert 

 beside a field, or just within a plantation, or on a moor, if so, 

 not far from a damp place or mire. Sometimes, also, very 

 eccentric spots are chosen. The eggs vary from eight to 

 twenty in number, but we find the average to be about 

 fourteen. Incubation requires about three weeks, during 

 which time the male keeps vigilant watch, but never 

 assists in the sitting, although doing the most he can to 

 protect it. 



As soon as the young are hatched, or within a few hours, 

 they are ready to move out. This will be from the middle 

 of June to the commencement of July, but the hatching 

 time with partridges varies so very much, consequent on the 

 nature of the season, locality, &c., that it is difficult to lay 

 down a hard and fast line as to the time. Immediately the 

 young move out, the old male bird commences to take his 

 share in the protection and feeding of the youngsters. The 

 partridge is naturally a hardy bird, and the percentage of 

 birds reared to eggs must be large. It only suffers from wet 

 weather, such as we have of late years acquired far to great 

 a familiarity with. In the last decade the stock of partridges 

 must have decreased to a very large extent, and it behoves 

 all preservers to lend a helping hand to get it up again to 

 a proper footing. The partridge and its young roost on the 

 ground in similar spots to those where they nest. The 

 young repose beneath both the paternal and maternal wing 

 until too large, when they pass the night in a bunch, heads 

 pointing outwards. 



The birds begin to move early in the morning, when 



