21 8 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



these journeys. Early in October the shores of the large rivers are covered with flocks of them, 

 which rove along the margin of the river and cross towards evening, the weaker ones often falling 

 and perishing in the water. After the principal streams have been thus crossed, the flocks distribute 

 tliemselves about the country, and resume tlieir usual mode of life. During the severity of winter 

 they often suffer from scarcity of food, and will then approach the dwellings of men, and become half 

 domesticated, visiting the bams and mixing with the poultry, to share their food. The eggs of this 

 species have frequently been hatched by the Domestic Hen ; two of these birds that had been 

 brought up in this manner, according to Wilson, associated with the cows, followed them to the fields, 

 returned \vith them in the evening, stood by them while milked, and again returned with them to 

 pasture. These remained during winter, lodging in the stable, but as soon as spring came they 

 disappeared. 



Dr. Bachmann attempted to domesticate the American Partridge, and gives us the following 

 account of his proceedings : — " The eggs had been obtained from the fields, and were hatched under 

 a Bantam hen. By confining the young with their foster mother for a few days they soon learned to 

 follow her like young chickens. They were fed for a couple of weeks on curds, but soon began to 

 eat cracked Indian com and several kinds of millet. They were permitted to stray at large in my 

 garden ; but fearing that they might be induced to fly over the enclosure and stray away, I amputated 

 a joint of the wing. There was no difficulty in preserving them during the summer and winter, and 

 they became so very gentle that they were in the habit of following me through the house, and often 

 seated themselves for hours on the table at which I was writing, occasionally playfully pecking at my 

 hand and running off with my pen. At night they nestled in a coop, placed for that purpose in the 

 garden. The cats in the neighbourhood, unfortunately for my experiment, took a fancy to my birds 

 and carried off several, so that at the breeding season my stock was reduced to two females, with a 

 greater number of males ; the latter now commenced their not unmusical notes of 'Bob White,' at first 

 low, but increasing in energy and loudness till they were heard throughout the whole neighbourhood. 

 These notes were precisely similar to those of the wild birds, affording a proof that they were natural, 

 and not acquired by an association with others of their own species, as these birds had no opportunity 

 of hearing any other notes than those of the poultry on the premises. As the spring advanced, the 

 males became very pugnacious, and great contests took place between themselves, as well as with the 

 Pigeons and the young poultry that occasionally intruded on their domicile. In May the hens 

 commenced laying, both in one nest, and the eggs were hatched under a Domestic Hen." 



Dr. Bachmann was prevented carrying out his experiments further, but other observers have been 

 more fortunate, and have without trouble reared many of these delicate birds in closed rooms. 

 Their great fertility is very favourable to their increase, wherever' it is wished that they should be 

 naturalised. 



Several attempts have been made to introduce this species into England, and from time to time 

 specimens have been shot in different parts of the country. 



The American Partridge is easily caught by means of snares and traps of various descriptions. 

 Many are shot, but they are most frequently netted in the following manner : — A number of persons, 

 furnished with a net, ride along the fences and thickets where the birds resort, one of the party 

 simulating the call of the bird, which is soon answered by a covey ; the party approach in an 

 apparently careless manner to ascertain the position and number of the others ; and then a horseman 

 furnished with a net gallops a hundred yards in advance, and places it so that his companions 

 can drive the Partridges into it. In this manner fifteen or tiventy Partridges may be caught at one 

 driving, but a pair out of each flock usually receive their liberty for fear that the breed should be 

 destrc^ed. 



