THE C'OJIMOX PARTRIDGE. 



145 



they are to be seen alive in most of the Zoological Gardens of Europe. The California!! Quail is 

 not only remarkable for the beautiful crest which adorns the head, but also for the rich admixture 

 of colour in its plumage. It is very plentiful in California, being found, according to Dr. Gambel, 

 in swarms, which inhabit not only the woods, but also bushy plains and hill-sides, these flocks some- 

 times numbering a thousand individuals. As many as fifteen, eggs are laid, and the same observer 

 once found twenty-four in a nest, which lie supposed to have been the produce of two hen birds. 

 The nest is placed on the ground, usually beneath a bush or at the foot of a tree, the eggs being' 

 placed in a hollow, and generally covered with a few leaves or a little dried giv.s*. 



CALIFORNIA* QUAIL. 



The Common Partridge (Perdix cinerea) is widely spread over Europe, being replaced in Eastern 

 Siberia by the Bearded Partridge (Perdix barbata). Unlike the Pheasants or the woodland- loving 

 Grouse, the Partridge prefers the open ground, and runs, thereby, considerable risk in the rearing 

 of its brood, should the season be wet and unfavourable to the little ones ; hence it arises that the 

 plenty or scarcity of this game-bird depends greatly upon the summer during which the nesting, 

 has been in progress. The eggs are often placed in a very exposed situation, and a considerable 

 number of young birds are never hatched, owing to the accidents which overtake the sitting bird 

 during the season of incubation at the jaws of a prowling fox or cat. Any apparent carelessness, 

 however, on the part of the bird as regards her eggs, is amply compensated by the care and courage 

 with which the old bird defends the brood if raised successfully. A nestling Partridge is a beautiful 

 little creature, and has a knack of concealing its small body in the grass in such a successful manner, 

 that if once the observer takes his eye off the bird, he will have great difficulty in re-discovering 

 the object of his search. If suddenly startled off her nest, the old bird will feign lameness, or drop 

 as if wounded, while her warning croaks as she flies off are probably a signal to the chicks to conceal 

 themselves. When once able to fly, the young keep with the old birds in coveys, and evince great 



