COMMON PARTRIDGE. 
343 
It is a common tiling to place the eggs beneath the 
domestic hen, who hatches and rears them as her 
own : in this case the young birds require to be 
fed with the larvm of ants, and well supplied with 
fresh water: it is also recommended to give them 
a mixture of woodlice and earwigs ; and occasion- 
ally fresh curds, mixed with lettuce, chickweed, 
or groundsel. 
The affection of Partridges for their offspring is 
peculiarly interesting. Both the parents lead them 
out to feed, they point out to them the proper 
places for their food, and assist them in finding it 
by scratching the ground with their feet ; they fre- 
quently sit close by each other, covering the young 
ones with their wings, like the hen ; and from this 
situation they are not easily flushed ; if, however, 
they are disturbed, most persons acquainted with 
rural affairs know the confusion that follows. The 
male gives the first signal of alarm, by a peculiar 
cry of distress ; throwing himself at the same mo- 
ment more immediately into the way of danger, in 
order to mislead the enemy, he flies, or rather 
runs along the ground, hanging his wings, and 
exhibiting every symptom of debility. By this 
stratagem he seldom fails of so far attracting the 
attention of the intruder, as to allow the female 
to conduct the helpless, unfledged brood into some 
place of security. 
The eggs of these birds are frequently destroyed 
by weasels, foxes, and other rapacious animals. 
When this has been the case, the female frequently 
forms another nest, and lays afresh : the produce 
