THE EUD-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 131 



in number from ten to sixteen or eighteen they are about 

 one inch and a half long, and an inch and a quarter broad. 

 The entire duties of incubation and rearing the young 

 devolve upon the female. Like all the other members of 

 this class, the young ones quit the nest immediately they 

 are hatched, their capabilities for running and feeding 

 being developed at a very early stage of their existence. 



They feed on grain, clover, and other seeds, flies, 

 beetles, caterpillars, ants and their eggs, grubs, and small 

 snails, and are much addicted to scratching in the dry earth 

 for food. 



When flushed these birds do not always leave the 

 ground simultaneously, as is the case with the common 

 partridge ; but one or more will perch on some gate, post, or 

 stone that may be close at hand, and are not unfrequently 

 shot whilst perching in this way. Or they will scatter in 

 all directions, each one running for the nearest hedge with 

 incredible speed. The flight is strong, rapid, and often 

 sustained for some considerable distance. 



Even at a distance these birds may very easily be dis- 

 tinguished from the Common Partridge, as they are larger, 

 darker, and the whirring sound made by the wings in flight 

 is altogether different. 



The note is said to closely resemble the word " cokileke/' 

 and is most frequently heard in the spring. 



The plumage of the Red-legged Partridge is handsome. 

 The beak is red, a black streak passes from the nostrils to 

 the eye, and thence downwards and forwards, making 

 a gorget of black, from which streaks and spots of black 

 descend towards the breast ; irides are reddish-orange ; 

 eyelids vermilion. Back of neck, back, rump, wing and 

 tail coverts are brownish, the plumage being smooth and 



