The Partridges 99 



The theory of two unusually large broods of that 

 year does not apply, as in that case the plumage 

 of the second lot would at once betray them. In 

 my opinion, three, and perhaps four, bevies some- 

 times drift together by accident of the partial 

 migration and fare forward, for the time being at 

 least, in packlike formation. Whether or no 

 such birds would permanently maintain their re- 

 lationship I am unable to say, as (unfortunately 

 for the cause of science !) whenever it has been 

 rny good fortune to stumble upon such an assem- 

 blage, I have behaved in a fashion not at all cal- 

 culated to preserve pack formation, or even the 

 lives of individual members. 



To return to L. calif ornicus. The great packs 

 remain together until the approach of the mating 

 season, which as a rule is some time in March ; 

 then they break up, and the important business 

 of pairing and nesting begins. The birds make 

 little effort at concealing the nest, which is usu- 

 ally upon the ground beside a stump, or under a 

 bush, but rarely in a tree near the ground. The 

 eggs number about fifteen and are pale buff, 

 dotted or blotched with a darker tint. The 

 period of incubation is about three weeks, and 

 chicks run as soon as hatched. The male does 

 not share the task of hatching, but both parents 

 tend the young and warn them of approaching 

 danger. The chicks are very clever at hiding 



