THE PARTRIDGE. 281 



tense cold. In Greenland, the Partridge is brown during summer ; 

 but as soon as the winter sets in, it becomes clothed with a thick 

 and warm down, and its exterior feathers assume the color of the 

 enow. 



Partridges have ever held a distinguished place at the tables of the 

 luxurious, both in Europe and America. We have an old distich : 



" If the Partridge had the Woodcock's thigh, 

 'T would be the best bird that e'er did fly." 



They pair about the third week in February ; and sometimes, after 

 pairing, if the weather be very severe, they collect together, and 

 again form into coveys. In May the female lays her eggs, usually from 

 fifteen to eighteen in number, in a rude nest of dry leaves and grass, 

 formed upon the ground ; these are of a greenish-gray color. The 

 period of incubation is three weeks. So closely do these birds sit on 

 their eggs when near hatching, that a Partridge with her nest haa 

 been carried in a hat to some distance, and in confinement has con- 

 tinued her incubation, and there produced young-ones. The great 

 hatch is about the first ten days in June ; and the earliest birds begin tc 

 fly towards the latter end >f that month. The young brood are able to 

 run about as soon as they are hatched, and they are even sometimes 

 seen encumbered with a piece of the shell sticking to them. The 

 parents immediately lead them to ant-hills, on the grubs of which 

 insects they at first principally feed. 



At the season when the Partridge is produced, the various specie! 

 of Ants loosen the earth about their habitations. The young birds. 

 therefore, have only to scrape away the earth, and they can satisfy 

 their hunger without difficulty. A covey that some years ago 

 excited the attention of the liev. Mr. Gould, gave him an opportu- 

 nity of remarking the great delight which they take in this kind of 

 food. On his turning up a colony of Ants, and withdrawing to some 

 distance, the parents conducted their young ones to the hill, and fed 

 very heartily. After a few days they grew more bold, and ventured 

 to eat within twelve or fourteen yards of him. The surrounding grass 

 was high ; by which means they could, on the least disturbance, im- 

 mediately run out of sight and conceal themselves. This is an excellent 

 food for Partridges that are bred up under a domestic hen ; if constantly 

 supplied with Ants' grubs and fresh water, the birds seldom fail to 

 arrive at maturity. Along with the grubs it is recommended to give 

 tnern, at intervals, a mixture of millepedes, or wood-lice, and earwigs ; 

 fresh curds mixed with lettuce, chickweed, or groundsel, should also 

 be given them. 



The affection of Partridges for their offspring is peculiarly interest 

 ing. Both the parents lead them out to feed ; they point out to them 

 the proper places for their food, and assist them in finding it by 

 cratch ing the ground with their feet. They frequently sit close to- 

 gether, covering the young-ones with their wings ; and from this pro- 

 tection they are not easily roused. If, however, they are disturbed, 

 most persons acquainted with rural affairs know the confusion thai 



