THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE 225 



in the morning and middle of the day, and vary in size according 



to the abundance of their favourite food. In some districts of 



France, it is said, the weight ot the Partridges found on an estate is 



considered as a fair standard test of the productiveness of the soil 



and of the state of agricultural skill. 



Most people are familiar with the distich : 



If the Partridge had the Woodcock's thigh, 

 It would be the best bird that e'er did flie ; 



but every one does not know that the saying was in vogue among 

 epicures in the reign of Charles II. 



THE RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE 



CACCABIS RUFA 



Throat, and cheeks white, surrounded by a black band, which spreads itself 

 out over the breast and sides of the neck in the form of numerous spots 

 and lines, with which are intermixed a few white spots; upper plumaga 

 reddish ash ; on the flanks a number of crescent-shaped spots, the con- 

 vexity towards the tail rust-red, the centre black, bordered by white ; 

 beak, orbits, and feet, bright red. Length thirteen and a half inches. 

 Eggs dull yellow, spotted and speckled with reddish brown and ash 

 colour. 



The Red-legged Partridge, called also the French and Guernsey 

 Partridge, is a stronger and more robust bird than the common 

 species, which it also greatly surpasses in brilliancy of colouring. 

 As some of its names indicate, it is not an indigenous bird, but a 

 native of the south of Europe, whence it was first introduced into 

 England in the reign of Charles II. To Willughby, who lived at 

 that period, it was unknown except as a native of the continent of 

 Europe and the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Towards the close 

 of the last century it was re-introduced into Suffolk, where it has 

 become numerous ; so much so, indeed, in some places, as to have 

 gained the better of the common species for a time. 



Its flight is rapid, but heavier and more noisy than that of the 

 Common Partridge. It is less patient of cold, and less able to elude 

 the attacks of birds of prey. It is quite a terrestrial bird, very slow 

 in taking flight, and never perching except when hard pressed, when, 

 on rare occasions, it takes refuge among the thick branches of an 

 oak or pinaster ; here it considers itself safe, and watches the move- 

 ments of the dogs with apparent unconcern. Sometimes, too, when 

 closely hunted, it takes shelter in a rabbit's burrow or the hole of a 

 tree ; but under ordinary circumstances it runs rapidly before the 

 dogs, and frequently disappoints the sportsman by rising out of shot. 

 The Grey or Common Partridge frequents rich cultivated lands ; the 

 Red Partridge prefers uncultivated plains, ' which summer converts 

 into burning causeways, winter into pools of water — monotonous 

 landes, where skeletons of sheep pasture without variation on heath 



B.B. 9 



