Partridges Natural History. 79 



so difficult to obtain, that they may pass the whole day 

 before finding sufficient to make a meal. During the 

 remainder of the year and according to the particular part 

 of the season, clover, potato or turnip fields, short gorse, 

 or broom covers or the edge of the moor if it be near, and 

 last but not least the stubbles, are all acceptable as mid-day 

 retreats. Towards evening they again go on the feed, and 

 generally make their " squat " for the night about sun down, 

 when they "jug" or " juck," the technical word for the cry 

 they make at this time. The brood and the old birds 

 remain always together until the next mating time, when 

 the covey breaks up and the pairing begins. Sometimes 

 two or more coveys will join together and so remain in 

 peaceful unison, and at the end of the season they some- 

 times " pack " like grouse, forming into, comparatively 

 speaking, large flocks. 



Hen partridges, probably more than any other birds, are 

 in the habit of using one nest for two birds, and the progeny 

 are divided into two broods, which however work usually 

 together. 



This bird is extremely neat and careful in its habits 

 and attentive to its appearance. A considerable time each 

 day is devoted to dusting and cleaning of the feathers. 

 The site chosen is generally a sunny bank, but often a road. 

 If the former it is used for some time, and the spots to 

 which the birds resort for this purpose are easily dis- 

 tinguished by the foot-marks, termed "roads," on the fine 

 dust produced. 



The partridge has several cries which are easily caught 

 by the practised ear and known to denote certain pro- 



