390 VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE. 



they meet on the ground, they fight with great courage and obstinacy, 

 until the conqueror drives off his antagonist to another field. 



The female prepares a nest composed of grasses, arranged in a circu- 

 lar form, leaving an entrance not unlike that of a common oven. It is 

 placed at the foot of a tuft of rank grass or some close stalks of corn, and 

 is partly sunk in the ground. The eggs are from ten to eighteen, rather 

 sharp at the smaller end, and of a pure white. The male at times assists 

 in hatching them. This species raises only one brood in the year, unless 

 the eggs or the young when yet small have been destroyed. When this 

 happens, the female immediately prepares another nest ; and should it also 

 be ravaged, sometimes even a third. The young run about the moment 

 after they make their appearance, and follow their parents until spring, 

 when, having acquired their full beauty, they pair and breed. 



The Partridge rests at night on the ground, either amongst the grass 

 or under a bent log. The individuals which compose the flock form a 

 ring, and moving backwards, approach each other until their bodies are 

 nearly in contact. This arrangement enables the whole covey to take 

 wing when suddenly alarmed, each flying off in a direct course, so as not 

 to interfere with the rest. 



These birds are easily caught in snares, common dead-falls, traps and 

 penSj Uke those for the Wild Turkey, but proportionate to the size of 

 the bird. Many are shot, but the principal havock is effected by means 

 of nets, especially in the Western and Southern States. The method 

 emjiloyed is as follows : 



A number of persons on horseback, provided with a net, set out in 

 search of Partridges, riding along the fences or briar-thickets, which the 

 birds are known to frequent. One or two of the party whistle in imita- 

 tion of the second call-note above described, and as Partridges are plen- 

 tiful, the call is soon answered by a covey, when the sportsmen imme- 

 diately proceed to ascertain their position and number, seldom consider- 

 ing it worth while to set the net when there are only a few birds. They 

 approach in a careless manner, talking and laughing as if merely passing 

 by. When the birds are discovered, one of the party gallops off in a 

 circuitous manner, gets in advance of the rest by a hundred yards or 

 more, according to the situation of the birds, and their disposition to run, 

 Avhile the rest of the sportsmen move about on their horses, talking to 

 each other, but at the same time watching every motion of the Partridges. 

 The person in advance being provided with the net, dismounts, and at 



