TETBAONIDJS. 149 



under the rocks or stones, where it is very difficult of dis- 

 covery, and the eggs, from seven or eight to twelve in num- 

 ber, are deposited, very closely resembling in appearance 

 those of the Bed Grouse. (PL XI. fig. 77.) 



THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. Perdix cinerea. The Par- 

 tridge frequents cultivated districts and rich corn-lands, and 

 is extensively distributed over the continent of Europe. In 

 Britain, while many of this species are to be found in Scot- 

 land, it is most abundant in the more southern parts of the 

 island. Partridges pair early, indeed some time before pre- 

 parations for incubation commence. The nest or hollow 

 where the eggs are deposited is almost invariably on the 

 ground, among grass or corn, under the shelter of furze, at 

 the bottom of a thorn -hedge, and often in situations greatly 

 exposed to discovery. The eggs, from twelve to twenty in 

 number, are of a greenish-grey and without markings of 

 any kind. While Partridges will defend their young against 

 certain aggressors, they seek to evade the apprehended de- 

 signs of their more powerful foes by stratagem. "The 

 scream of the parents, apparently tumbling and escaping 

 away with broken legs and wings, is well acted, and often 

 succeeds in withdrawing the dog and his young attendant 

 beyond the possibility of discovering the hiding-places of 



