"THE PARTRIDGES " OF MUSKOKA 215 



About the beginning of May the female retires 

 to a thicket in a close part of the woods, or more 

 usually forms her nest at the base of a tree on 

 the ground, and sometimes against a fallen log. 

 It is composed of dead leaves with a few feathers, 

 and is either very shallow or fully 5 in. 

 deep inside. From eight to fourteen, and rarely 

 sixteen, eggs are laid ; they are creamy white, often 

 much stained, and sometimes speckled with brown, 

 The young leave the nest as soon as they are 

 hatched, and after a few days are able to fly. 



When the old bird is driven from her nest, 

 she starts off with one or both wings, or perhaps 

 a leg apparently broken, and after scrambling 

 on the ground a few yards scales along about 

 100 ft. and then takes flight. If she is found 

 with a brood of chicks she acts in a most 

 remarkable way, either attacking the disturber 

 or else feigning complete powerlessness, thus 

 diverting attention long enough to enable the 

 young to hide. 



In partridge or grouse shooting I should 

 recommend a visit to all the islands of the 

 lakes first. I have shot more birds in an hour 

 on an island than I have bagged after a ten- 

 mile tramp. It would be useless, of course, to 



