224 THE OPEN COUNTRY 



flight ; and, when everything is again quiet, the old birds begin calling until the 

 fugitives are collected. The cock especially takes great trouble in doing this — and 

 in short, for a long time, looks after his offspring, in whom he seems to take great 

 pride. Towards the broods of others of their kind, partridges behave most unsoci- 

 ably, strangers being at once driven away ; while a pair of old birds which have 

 lost their young ones are not readily accepted by another family. Young par- 

 tridges, as well as solitary old birds, meet however with a better reception, 

 although even in their case quarrels will arise. In the twilight partridges collect 

 in parties, and after flying round for a short time suddenly alight, fly about once 

 or twice perhaps, then quickly scratch little holes in the ground, and go to rest 

 with their heads towards each other. In the morning they separate until the old 

 birds call them together, when they again disperse, to be once more assembled in 

 a similar way At the third call they remain on the spot awaiting the rising of 

 the sun, when they stretch their necks and fly off in search of food. 



The partridge walks quickly if undisturbed, but runs with its head erect and 

 so rapidly that it can scarcely be followed by a man. When running, it hides its 

 short and rounded wings beneath its side-feathers. The tail, which is generally 

 drooping, is erected when anything unexpected is encountered ; this being a sign 

 that the bird contemplates escaping. The flight is quick and whirring, and, when 

 once started, the bird glides through the air without any visible movement of the 

 wings for a long distance. The pairing-call of the cock, generally called " crowing," 

 is also the call for the rest of the family ; it sounds like girhick, and is answered 

 by the hen with a softer girret, The young birds cliirp, their call sounding at 

 the beginning like girik. When full-grown partridges are undisturbed, they utter 

 a subdued kumik-kurruk, and the old ones a soft kur-kur which also serves as a 

 danger-signal. When frightened, the cry sounds like an agitated rip-rip-rip-rip. 



The partridge is not a naturally timid bird, for in districts where it is not 

 disturbed it will allow intruders to come close ; but wherever the country is much 

 shot over it becomes very difficult of approach. Among its numerous enemies 

 hawks are the most dreaded, since they seize their victims alike when flying, 

 sitting, or running. Dense brushwood, or the habit partridges have of pressing 

 themselves close to the ground, may often be the only thing to save them from the 

 destroyer. The hawk's victims are generally the cocks, which are more numerous 

 than the hens ; and on this account the inequality in the number of the sexes is 

 not without advantage. 



The food of the partridge consists of insects, especially ants and their pupae, in 

 search of which it scratches up the ground like a domestic fowl ; but corn and other 

 seeds, as well as green plants, are also eaten. Each covey seeks its food within its 

 own particular area ; and in winter food can be easily obtained so long as the snow 

 is not too deep ; but when the snow is frozen the partridge starves, the 

 feeding-places becoming deep in dust on account of the continual scraping and 

 scratching in the ground. In districts where there are many junipers, partridges 

 find shelter under the branches and sufficient food in the berries. Sometimes 

 partridges hide away during the whole winter to reappear when the snow melts. 

 As a rule, they sleep in the open field. 



The partridge is about 12^ inches long; the largest birds being found on 



