74 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



are perfectly familiar to every Sportsman, as tliey are often 

 resorted to, to decoy the poor Birds from their lurking-places. 

 If the Birds be young, they will soon reassemble or be decoyed 

 by the imitative whistle of the Sportsman ; if, however, they 

 be old and cunning, each one will remain perfectly quiet for a 

 long time, and not venture to call each other till towards the 

 close of the day, when all danger is removed. A low twittering 

 sOund is frequently heard issuing from a covey when terrified 

 and about to spring from before the Dog ; this sound somewhat 

 resembles the chirping of a brood of young chickens when nest- 

 ling themselves under their mother's wings towards nightfall. 



ROOSTING. 



Partridges, when pursued, as before stated, generally take to 

 the woods and thickets for protection; but instinct and long 

 habit, on the other hand, have taught them that the open plain 

 is a more secure place for roosting during the night, and con- 

 sequently almost invariably choose a little mound of rising 

 ground in the centre of a cleared or stubble field for this 

 purpose. 



To afford greater security and prevent a surprise, we ima- 

 gine. Partridges roost in a circle, with their heads all turned 

 outwards, and their tails joining each other in such a manner 

 that they present a guard on every side ; and when thus dis- 

 turbed the whole covey are enabled to fly off in a direct course 

 without interfering with each other. If undisturbed, they are 

 apt to resort to the same spot for several successive nights. 

 We have often observed these Birds arranged in this curious 

 manner, and, when kept up during winter in cages, will be 

 found to place themselves in this position every night about 

 roosting time, or even when huddling together daring the day. 



FOOD. 



The Partridge is granivorous, and, in the words of the old 

 poet — 



" Soon as the lab'ring horse, with swelling veins, 

 Hath safely housed the farmer's doubtful gains, 

 To sweet repast the unwary Partridge flies, 

 With joy amid the scattered harvest lies ;" 



