128 PERDRICIN^:. 



FAMILY XXVI. PERDRICIN.E (PARTRIDGES). 



GENUS LXI PERDRIX (PARTRIDGE). 



SPECIES 119 THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 



Perdrix cinerea. Linn. 

 Perdrix rouge. Teinm. 



THE PARTRIDGE occurs in smaller numbers than any of our 

 other game birds, and is now rarely or seldom seen in some 

 localities where once it existed in considerable numbers, as 

 in .the county of Meath, we have been informed by sportsmen 

 who remember it occurring in the greatest abundance, 

 some thirty years since, in places where now the spring of a 

 single covey is rarely met with. Leaving the mountain to 

 the grouse, and the woodland glade to the pheasant, we must 

 look for the partridge in the stubble and the pasture -field, 

 in the vicinity of cultivation, where, usually associated with 

 plenty, the partridge, when occurring in any numbers, con- 

 fers an appearance of comfort on those cultivated districts 

 in which alone it delights. 



Pairing early, it more often selects unusual breeding sites 

 than any other of the Rasores. One, pointed out to us in the 

 demesne of Carton, was placed within three or four inches of 

 a foot-path where horses and carts were hourly passing. 

 Sheltered by an evergreen bush, the female expressed no con- 

 cern when it was raised to observe her, but looked up to the 

 intruder perfectly assured of safety, and happily the confi- 

 dence she had thus placed in man was not taken advantage 

 of, for she reared her brood successfully and in safety. 



Generally choosing some site in the open stubble-field, 

 where, exposed to the view of every enemy, from the stoat to 

 the magpie, it is surprising how she succeeds in protecting 

 and rearing her charge. 



Perhaps the most curious and interesting of its habits are 

 the beautiful stratagems and feints which the male makes use 

 of to withdraw attention, whilst the poor female, with some 

 ten or fifteen young, are hurrying from danger. When thus 

 surprised, the male rises some six or eight feet high in the air, 

 and drops down with a heavy motion, his wings drooping and 

 his flight wavering, and at times even falling on the ground as 

 if wounded, he feigns death ; at all times perilling his own 

 safety in his solicitude for the numerous little family he has 

 succeeded in rearing so far. 



