THE PARTRIDGE. 76 



Middle States, and birds too small to be shot are constantly met 

 with in October, and even in November. 



This circumstance may nevertheless be accounted for on other 

 grounds, as it is well known that the female, if disturbed during 

 the period of incubation, or the eggs be destroyed by some one of 

 her many enemies, will build another nest and commence setting 

 afresh. We do not doubt, however, that, independent of these 

 accidents, in a very favorable season the hen may be induced occa- 

 sionally to raise two broods of young, more particularly in the 

 Southern States ; but we are not inclined to believe the habit a 

 natural instinct of the bird, and rather attribute these instances to 

 causes such as above enumerated. 



The period of warm weather in the Middle and Northern States 

 is rather too short to allow partridges generally to raise two broods 

 in a season; and, if they should succeed in hatching them, the 

 second brood, being small and delicate, and not sufficiently well 

 grown before the cool weather sets in, are unable to endure the 

 rigors of our boisterous winters, and consequently soon perish, 

 either from want of food or exposure. These are the birds which 

 are first caught in traps and sent to market. 



FULL-GROWN. 



The birds, being full-grown towards the close of September, will 

 be found associated in coveys from ten to twenty -five; and, in 

 portions of the country where food is plenty, much larger coveys 

 may be met with, perhaps two or three broods joining together in 

 perfect harmony. The call of the male bird during the season of 

 love, which is thought to resemble the notes produced by pro- 

 nouncing the words Ah Bob White in slow and measured time, is 

 now seldom heard except when the covey is flushed and separated ; 

 and then this plaintive call, in connection with the usual cry of 

 the species, will be recognised at occasional intervals, collecting 

 the terrified members of the family together again. The call of 

 the partridge is a clear whistle, composed of three notes ; the first 

 clear, loud, and sonorous; the second less loud, and the third. 



