THE PARTRILiGE. 83 



and cineritious tints, may be set down as reddish-brown, or 

 rather dark-cinnamon color; legs of same hue; the irides hazel. 

 This very peculiar Bird was killed in Pennsylvania, a short 

 distance from the city, and, what is somewhat remarkable, there 

 were others of similar plumage in the covey from which this 

 one was secured. We went in quest of these Birds with Mr. 

 Stockton, on a subsequent occasion, but were unsuccessful in 

 our search.* 



THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE NATURAL HISTORY OF GAME 



BIRDS. 



We have already devoted much space, perhaps too much, to 

 the natural history, habits, and peculiarities of the Partridge, 

 but, we trust, not without benefit to our readers, as no one can 

 expect to become an accomplished Sportsman without studying 

 very closely the individual characteristics of every species of 

 game that he pursues. For it is by this knowledge, either 

 gained through great labor in the field, or acquired from the 

 writings and associations of those who have devoted the leisure 

 of years to this healthful recreation, that one Shooter is seen 

 to excel another in the style of hunting and bagging his game. 



Many individuals, from a lack of personal observation on 

 their part, or the want of a suitable preceptor to instruct them 

 in the field, will continue to hunt a lifetime in an awkward or 

 hap-hazard way, without ever bringing into requisition any of 

 those many little manoeuvres and field-stratagems so familiar 

 to the crafty old Sportsman, and which he oftentimes selfishly 

 endeavors to conceal from the knowledge of the rising genera- 

 tion of Shooters, fearing lest his teaching might raise up around 

 him too many youthful aspirants, ever ready to pluck from his 



* This remarkable Bird is, perhaps, more worthy of being represented perched 

 upon a tree, than the white one referred to by an English author, who states that 

 one of this character being shot, was sent to a Mr. Pugh, a good Artist, but no 

 Sportsman, who, to make the delineation, as he thought, the more effective, first 

 painted a large oak, and then very artistically placed the White Partridge on one 

 of the branches ; when told that these Birds always sat on the ground, he naively 

 replied: "That might be; but, it looked so much the more picturesque to have a 

 landscape in the background, that he would not alter it ; for an extraordinary 

 Bird ought to have an extraordinary situation — it exalted him above his fellows." 



