THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 473 



be said here. Of Pouters, Tumblers, Jacobins, Mandarins, and 

 Shakers, a volume might be written, and a very interesting one 

 too. Of the power of vision, as well as speed and duration of 

 flight, of the Camer Pigeon, the most useful of the tribe, num- 

 berless instances are on record, which, were they not well authen- 

 ticated, we might well be excused for disbelieving. The extra- 

 ordinary changes of plumage, and modifications of form, even, 

 which have been produced in these birds, are equally curious and 

 interesting. But on these it does not accord with the plan of 

 our present volume to dwell ; nor to enlarge upon the poetical 

 associations connected with this family of birds. 



VIII. POULTRY. 



THESE birds may be known by the following characteristics : 

 the beak is raised ; the upper mandible is arched, so that its 

 edge projects beyond the under one. The nostrils are covered 

 with a raised cartilaginous membrane ; there are more than 

 twelve feathers in the tail ; the feet are divided, and yet con- 

 nected at the first joint. They chiefly feed on seeds, which 

 they soften in their crops. I know of only six kinds, which 

 can be tamed in the house. 



ADDITIONAL. In this country the term Poultry would be 

 generally understood to mean all those domestic birds which are 

 reared for the table ; such as common Fowls, Turkeys, Geese, 

 Ducks, Guinea Fowls. &c. ; and the three species enumerated by 

 BECHSTEIN, would scarcely be considered as appropriately classed 

 under such a head ; as, however, the limits of our work will 

 render it impossible for us to enter fully into so wide a field as 

 the varieties, mode of treatment, breeding, &c. of Poultry 

 occupies, we must be content to give merely the text of the 

 original for this and the two following sections, both of which 

 might also be greatly extended ; indeed, the subjects of Poultry, 

 Game, Wading and Aquatic birds, might well furnish matter for 

 a volume of themselves. 



185. THE COMMON PARTRIDGE. 



Tetrao Perdrix, LIN. La Perdrix Grise, BUF. Das Gemeine Rebhuhn, 

 BECK. 



Description. This well-known bird, which is very fleshy, 

 and has but few feathers, is twelve inches and a half long. 

 Its short beak is bluish ; the feet a somewhat brown flesh 

 colour. Under its reddish brown eyes is a warty bare spot, of 



