THE PARTRIDGE. 37 



and more commonly only one or two are seen at a 

 time. 



Every one who lives in the neighbourhood of these 

 birds, has heard the noise which they make with their 

 wings, and which is called drumming. This noise is 

 often mistaken for the low rumbling of distant thunder, 

 and may be heard, in a calm morning, at the distance 

 of a mile, or more. It is made only by the male, who, 

 seated on some fallen tree, strikes his wings on each 

 side of it, at first slowly, and distinctly, after which 

 the strokes are quickened, and become so rapid as to 

 run into each other, resembling the rolling of a drum. 

 It is singular that a person even after hearing the 

 Partridge drum many times, cannot form a correct 

 judgment of its distance from him, it always being 

 further off than he suspects. Gunners who do not 

 well know the habits of this bird, often think they have 

 their game quite near, when in fact it is half a mile, 

 or more, from them. 



The Partridge makes her nest on the ground, and, 

 like other birds of this kind, takes very little care 

 about its construction. A few dry leaves in some 

 concealed place, are all that she requires. 



As soon as the young are hatched, they leave the 

 nest, under the direction of their mother, in search of 

 food ; and it is quite interesting and curious to observe 

 the early habits of these little creatures. If the mo- 

 ther happens to be surprised at the head of her fami- 

 ly, she instantly utters a note of alarm, which is as 

 instantly understood and obeyed by them all ; for in a 

 second or two, every one conceals itself so cunningly 

 among the leaves, that it is rare one can be found. 



