144 HISTORY OF 



The red partridge is the largest of the two, and often peicles 

 upon trees ; the gray, with which we are best acquainted in Eng- 

 land, is most prolific, and always keeps on the ground. 



The partridge seems to be a bird well known all over the 

 world, as it is found in every country, and in every climate ; as 

 well in the frozen regions about the pole, as the torrid tracts 

 under the equator. It even seems to adapt itself to the nature 

 of the climate where it resides. In Greenland, the partridge, 

 which is browar in summer, as soon as the icy winter sets in, 

 begins to take a covering suited to the season -. it is then clothed 

 with a warm down beneath ; and its outward plumage assumes 



, the colour of the snows amongst which it seeks its food. Thus 

 it is doubly fitted for the place, by the warmth and the colour of 

 its plumage ; the one to defend it from the cold, the other to 

 prevent its being noticed by the enemy. Those of Barakonda, 

 on the other hand, are longer-legged, much swifter of foot, and 

 choose the highest precipices and rocks to reside in. 



They all, however, agree in one character, of being immode- 

 rately addicted to venery ; and, as some writers affirm, often to 

 an unnatural degree. It is certain the male will pursue the hen 



'even to her nest ; and will break her eggs, rather than not in- 

 dulge his inclinations. Though the young ones have kept to- 

 gether in flocks during the winter, when they begin to pair in 

 spring, their society disperses, and combats, very terrible with 

 respect to each other, ensue. Their manners, in other circum- 

 stances, resemble all those of poultry in general ; but their cun- 

 ning and instincts seem superior to those of the larger kinds. 

 Perhaps, as they live in the very neighbourhood of their enemies, 

 they have more frequent occasion to put their little arts in 

 practice ; and learn, by habit, the means of evasion or safety. 

 Whenever, therefore, a dog, or other formidable animal, ap- 

 proaches their nest, the female uses every means to draw him 

 away. She keeps just before him, pretends to be incapable of 

 flying, just hops up, and then falls down before him, but never 

 goes off so far as to discourage her pursuer. At length, when 

 she has drawn him entirely away from her secret treasure, she 

 at once takes wing, and fairly leaves him to gaze after her in 

 despair. 



After the danger is over, and the dog withdrawn, she then 

 calls her young, who assemble at once at her cry, and follow 



