72 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



dents in our rambles over the fields. We also believe that 

 similar conflicts between the parent Birds and these ruthless 

 desecrators of their nests have given rise to the popular fallacy 

 that Snakes possess the power of Charminrj Birds, or, in other 

 words, transfixing or drawing them within their reach by the 

 use of certain mesmeric manipulations of their tongue and 

 eyes. We give no credit whatever to this boasted power of 

 fascination on the part of Snakes, but regard it as one of those 

 vulgar errors that spring up in the minds of the ignorant, from 

 their inability to explain or investigate many of the everyday 

 phenomena of nature. 



DOMESTICATION. 



The wild nature of the Partridge renders its domestication 

 almost impossible, though in some instances, where the eggs 

 have been placed under the common Hen, they have been 

 hatched and reared with as much success as if the progeny 

 were of her own species. The young brood, however, though 

 perfectly familiar with all the other occupants of the farm- 

 yard, and apparently reconciled to their unnatural mode of 

 life, still exhibited the wandering and restless disposition of 

 their race, and in most instances have flown away to their na- 

 tive haunts at the pairing season of the following year. The 

 American Partridge, in common with those of other countries, 

 cannot bear close confinement; they may appear for a time to 

 thrive, still, if too much restricted in their movements, inva- 

 riably die. We unfortunately, during the last winter, lost seve- 

 ral fine Birds that were presented to us by our friend G. D. 

 Wetherill, Esq., owing, we suppose, to the smallness of the cage 

 in which we had temporarily placed them. 



TWO BROODS. 



It is a common opinion among our Sportsmen that the Par- 

 tridge produces two broods during each season. Whether this 

 be true or not, we are not prepared to say positively ; but one 

 thing is certain, that the Hen is often discovered setting during 



