94 WOOD NOTES WILD. 



but the air, not even his "own proud breast," as one 

 distinguished observer has suggested. 



Wilson thinks the drumming may be heard nearly 

 half a mile. He might safely have doubled the distance ; 

 though when we consider the low pitch, B flat, second line 



in bass staff, the fact is surprising. The tones somewhat 

 resemble those of any deep drum, being very deceptive 

 as to distance, often sounding near when far off, and far 

 off when near. I describe the drumming as a succes- 

 sion of thumps, the first dozen of which may be counted. 

 The first two or three are soft and comparatively slow; 

 then they increase rapidly in force and frequency, rush- 

 ing onward into a furious whir, the whir subsiding in a 

 swift but graduated dimmish. The entire power of the 

 partridge must be thrown into this exercise. His appear- 

 ance immediately afterward affirms it as strongly as does 

 the volume of sound ; for he drops into the forlornest of 

 attitudes, looking as if he would never move again. In 

 a few minutes, however, perhaps five, he begins to have 

 nervous motions of the head ; up, up, it goes, and his body 

 with it, till he is perfectly erect, legs, body, neck, and 

 all. Then for the thunder once more: 



Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. . Whir. . . , 



The partridge, as the bass drummer, is an important 

 member of the feathered orchestra. 



