COMMON PARTRIDGE. 47 



finest plumage ; and the difference between those which are 

 found in the rich agricultural counties, and in the moors, is so 

 great, that the latter has sometimes been considered as a 

 distinct species, or at least a variety, under the name of the 

 moor partridge. 



This is partly to be accounted for by the large broods 

 which partridges rear; they are the most prolific of the wild 

 gallinidse, the eggs being often as many as twenty, and never 

 fewer than twelve. The nest is merely a hole scratched in 

 the dry mould, generally under the shelter of some bush or 

 tuft of grass; and during the incubation, which lasts three 

 weeks, the female sits remarkably close, and not only does 

 not rise when her nest is approached, but is not easily driven 

 from it. During this period, and more especially towards 

 the close of it, the bird offers a bold resistance to winged 

 foes, and will drive off crows, magpies, and other plunderers 

 of nests. On the other hand, if quietly approached, and 

 gently handled, the bird and her eggs may be removed, and 

 she will continue to sit and hatch her brood in confinement, 

 but depart with them to the fields as soon after as possible. 

 This is exactly the reverse of the domestic hen: she will 

 often retire to the coppice to perform her incubation, but 

 she leads her brood back to the farm-yard with an air of 

 triumph, as soon as they are able to follow her. They are 

 monogamous. 



The male partridge takes no part in the labour of incu- 

 bation; but, as is the case with all birds that pair, he is 

 attentive to his mate, and joins with her in defending the 

 brood; he also practises many arts to entice visitors away 

 from the nest. The young can leave the nest the instant 

 that they break the shell, and generally do it the same day 

 At that time their legs are as strong in proportion to the 

 weight of the body, as in the mature bird, but the wings are 

 barely developed. There are few more interesting sights 



