28 GUN", ROD, AND SADDLE. 



tedious. However, I believe that there are quad- 

 rupeds, birds, and fishes, still strangers to our land, 

 who but require to be known to be appreciated ; and 

 by placing the merits of any of them before the 

 public, some one may be found sufficiently patriotic 

 to make the attempt to naturalize them. 



Without more preamble, and to come at once to 

 the point, let me say that in my humble opinion there 

 is no bird more worthy of attention, and more deserv- 

 ing of the honor of introduction to our preserves, than 

 the Virginian partridge, often misnamed in America 

 quail. His numerous good qualities, together with 

 his description, I will to the best of my knowledge 

 give, hoping it may be the means of yet seeing this 

 little beauty ornamenting our fields, and adding 

 brilliancy and variety to the game-bags of our nu- 

 merous enthusiastic sportsmen. The American par- 

 tridge varies in weight from eight to ten ounces, 

 is erect in his walk, very handsome in plumage, 

 strong upon the wing, feeds principally upon grain, 

 grass-seed, and ants, frequents indifferently brush, 

 timber, or open country, is capable of standing great 

 cold, is not quarrelsome with other game, is very 

 pi-olific, frequently hatching two broods in a season 

 Moreover, an advantage which can not be too highly 



