THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 101 



Varieties of the partridge frequently occur, the 

 most common are those varied with white, which 

 sometimes prevails through a whole covey. Speci- 

 mens entirely of a cream-colour are also not unfre- 

 quent, and here, although the tint may be said to be 

 uniform, the various markings of the plumage appear 

 conspicuous in different lights, as if from a variation 

 of the structure of the feathers. But the most cu- 

 rious variety of the partridge is one which, by many 

 authors, has been thought to be distinct the Perdix 

 montana. We have given a representation of this 

 variety on our next plate, from a specimen in the 

 Edinburgh Museum. 



THE MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE. 



Perdix cinerea. var. Montana. 

 PLATE II 



THIS variety has been said to be more frequently 

 found in alpine districts than in lowlands, but they 

 are known to mingle occasionally with those of com- 

 mon plumage. The colour is remarkable to be as- 

 sumed as a variety, though it is often, we may say, 

 generally mingled with whitish or reddish-white. The 

 whole plumage is of deep sienna-brown, and this 

 colour, somewhat like that of the common grouse, 

 prevails in many species entirely upon the breast* 



