100 COMMON d- RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGES. 



Habits. On the ground it runs very rapidly ; when flushed 

 it shoots up with much noise, like a rocket. Flight powerful 

 and rapid. Polygamous ; the males fighting for the hens. 



Food. Practically omnivorous. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In a hollow in the ground, in tuft of grass, under 

 brambles, &c. 



Materials. A few dry grasses. 



Eggs. Seven to twelve, or more. Olive-brown or olive- 

 green. 



COMMON OB GREY PARTEIDGE (Perdix cinerea). 



Resident. Abundant in all well-cultivated districts, though 

 more local in Scotland. 



Plumage. Grey on neck and fore chest ; otherwise generally 

 variegated with grey and reddish brown. Dark chestnut horse- 

 shoe patch on lower breast. Wings marked longitudinally with 

 buff. Bill olive-brown. Legs and feet bluish grey. Length 

 12 in. Female, almost similar, but markings on wings crossed 

 and not longitudinal. Young, like female, but legs yellowish 

 brown. 



Language. Call-note, "kee-ash." Alarm-note, "gug-ug-ug," 

 somewhat like the Guinea Fowl's well-known cry. 



Habits. Essentially a ground species. In winter they con- 

 sort in coveys, but they pair off in very early spring. A 

 splendid runner, but when forced to take to the wing it flies 

 rapidly with whirring wings for some distance, then skims 

 along, and soon alights again. The parents often feign injury 

 wiien the nest or young are in danger. Occasionally two hens 

 share one nest . 



Food. Insects, snails, grain, green leaves, &c. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In some depression in the ground ; under some bush 

 or herbage. 



Materials. A few dead grasses and leaves. 



Eggs. Eight to twelve, often many more. Olive-brown. 



RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE on FRENCH PARTRIDGE 

 (Caccabis rufa). 



Resident. Common in many parts of England, especially 

 in the eastern counties ; unknown in Scotland and Ireland. 

 More partial to uncultivated districts than the last. 



Plumage. Throat and cheeks white, bordered by black band. 

 Sides of neck and breast grey, spotted with black ; upper parts 



