THE PARTRIDGE. 73 



July, in our Middle States, and Birds too small to be shot are 

 constantly met with in October and even in November. 



This circumstance may nevertheless be accounted for on 

 other grounds, as it is well known that the female, if disturbed 

 during the period of incubation, or the eggs be destroyed by 

 any of her many enemies, will build another nest and com- 

 mence setting afresh. We do not doubt, however, that, inde- 

 pendent of these accidents, in a very favorable season the Hen 

 may be induced occasionally to raise two broods of young, more 

 particularly in the Southern States ; but we are opposed to 

 believing the habit a natural instinct of the Bird, and "would 

 rather attribute these instances to accidents, such as above 

 enumerated. 



The period of warm weather in the middle and northern 

 States is rather too short to allow Partridges generally to raise 

 two broods in a season ; and, if they should succeed in hatch- 

 ing them, the second brood, being small and delicate, and not 

 sufficiently well grown before the cool weather sets in, are not 

 able to buffet against the rigors of our boisterous winters, r.nd 

 consequently soon perish, either from want of food or exposure, 

 and are the Birds that are first caught in traps and sent U 

 market. 



FULL-GROWN. 



The Birds being full-grown towards the close of September, 

 will be found associated in coveys from ten to twenty-five; and, 

 in portions of the country where food is plenty, much larger 

 coveys may be met with, perhaps two or three broods joining 

 together in perfect harmony. The call of the male Bird during 

 the season of love, which is thought to resemble the notes pro- 

 duced by pronouncing the words Ah Bob White in slow and 

 measured time, is now seldom heard except when the covey is 

 flushed and separated, and then this plaintive call, in connec- 

 tion with the usual cry of this species, will be recognized at 

 occasional intervals, collecting the terrified members of the 

 family together again. The call of the Partridge is a clear 

 whistle, composed of three notes ; the first clear, loud, and 

 sonorous; the second less loud, and the third, though louder 

 than the second, is not as loud as the first; these call-notes 



