52 



AMERIOAN ORNITHOLOGY 



A DRUMMER BOY. 



My interest in the Partridge was roused by reading William Long's 

 story of the "Ol' Beach Pa'tridge." This is the story of a bird, which 

 roamed for years, over a certain tract of land, claiming it as his own, 

 and from it, driving off every other cock Partridge that dared approach 

 the region of his two favorite drumming logs. He was the target of 

 many a hunter, and many a noble dog tried to hold him but in vain. 

 As a last resort, a small boy set a trap for him, but through the curiosity 

 of a Blue Jay, the'Ol' Beech Pa'tridge's life was spared. 



Due to the large number of devotees of the hunt, the woods in this 

 region, have been largely depopulated of these birds. So it was to me 



Photo from life by J. M. Schreck. 

 MOTHER KINGBIRD AND YOUNG. 



a matter of joy and interest when an opportunity was presented of ob- 

 serving the Partridge. 



Tired from a long bird walk, which had just led through an old wood 

 lot, densly covered with a low growth of bushes and brambles, I sat 

 down to rest. At my feet trickled a little brook, and opposite rose a 



