AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 



39 



tridge is more fearful of the hawk, for when pursued by 

 this destructive bird, terror overcomes its instinct, and it 

 will oftimes fly, unmindful of the consequences, against a 

 tree or house with so much force, as to be killed; in fact, 

 frequently their whole muscular powers become so paral- 

 ized by dread, that it will suffer itself to be trodden upon, 

 or taken, without making an effort to escape. 



At this time, the notes of the male are most frequent, 

 clear, and loud. His common or early call, consists of 

 two notes, with sometimes an introductory one, and is 

 similar to the sound produced by pronouncing the words 

 <' Bob White." This call may be easily imitated by 

 whistling, so as to deceive the bird itself, and bring it near. 

 While uttering this, he is usually perched on a rail of the 

 fence, or on a low limb of an apple-tree, where he will 

 sometimes sit, repeating at short intervals " Bob White," 

 for half an hour at a time. It, however, is only practised 

 after pairing in the spring, and continues through the sum- 

 mer until about the middle of August, when it is substi- 

 tuted by another call, which is used by them until the time 

 of pairing comes on again. When a covey are assembled 

 in a thicket or corner of a field, and about to take wing, 

 they make a low twittering sound, not unlike that of young 

 chickens; and when the covey is dispersed, they are called 

 together again by a loud and frequently repeated note, pe- 

 culiarly expressive of tenderness and anxiety. 



About the first of October they prepare for winter quar- 

 ters, and at this time commences what is called their run- 

 ning season, a singular habit of this bird, and may be ac- 

 counted for, in some measure, as follows: In open and 

 well cultivated grounds, their food and cover are destroyed 

 by the husbandman, who turns the soil in order to put in 

 his winter's grain ; added to this, are the few watering 

 places and swamps to afford them the means of life and pro- 

 tection, consequently, the birds, impelled by instinct, seek 

 those places in low and swampy countries, where they can 

 always procure water, and shelter from their enemies 

 and the severity of winter. Thus, in the neighbour- 

 hood of Philadelphia, and all populous cities, where the 

 country is in a high state of cultivation, does this circum- 

 stance of the Partridge occur; but, in New Jersey, Dela- 

 ware, and the interior of other States, it seldom or never 

 takes place. 



The food of the Partridge consists of grain, seeds, in- 

 sects, and berries of various kinds. Buckwheat and Indian 

 corn are particular favourites. In September and October 

 the buckwheat fields afford them an abundant suppl}^, 

 as well as a secure shelter. They usually roost at night in 

 the middle of a field, on high ground; and from the cir- 

 cumstance of their dung being often found in such places, 

 in one round heap, it is generally conjectured that they 



roost in a circle, with their heads outwards, each individual 

 in this position, forming a kind of guard to prevent sur- 

 prise. They also continue to lodge for several nights in the 

 same spot. 



The majority of Partridges in a covey, are males; hence, 

 in the pairing season, it frequently happens that two cocks 

 claim the same hen, and decide their right by combat, 

 upon the truest principles of honor. A gentleman who 

 was an eye witness to a battle between two male Par- 

 tridges, during the past spring, stated that it lasted for a 

 considerable time. His attention was attracted by a rust- 

 ling noise in the bushes, accompanied with a twittering 

 sound, and examining into the cause, he perceived these 

 birds in close combat: after some time, one bird ran ofi"to 

 a considerable distance, and was followed closely by his an- 

 tagonist, when they wheeled about, and returned to the 

 same spot, where they renewed the fight with increasing 

 vigor; then, in turn, the other bird acted in a similar man- 

 ner, by running away, being chased by his antagonist, and 

 in this way the battle was protracted for half an hour, and 

 until the contending parties became so exhausted, that our 

 friend put an end to the contest, by making them prisoners. 



The Partridge, like all the rest of the gallinaceous order, 

 flies with a loud whirring sound, occasioned by the short- 

 ness, concavity, and rapid motion of its wings, and the com- 

 parative weight of its body. The steadiness of its horizon- 

 tal flight, however, renders it no difficult mark for the 

 sportsman, particularly when assisted by his sagacious 

 pointer. The flesh of this bird is peculiarly white, tender, 

 and delicate, unequalled, in these qualities, by that of any 

 other of its genus in the United States. 



The Quail, as it is called in New England, or the Par- 

 tridge, as in Pennsylvania, is nine inches long, and four- 

 teen inches in extent; and will usually weigh from seven 

 to eight, and sometimes nine ounces, each ; the bill is 

 black; line over the eye, down the neck, and whole chin, 

 pure white, bounded by a band of black, which descends 

 and spreads broadly over the throat; the eye is dark hazel; 

 crown, neck, and upper part of the breast, red brown; sides 

 of the neck spotted with white and black, on a reddish 

 brown ground ; back, scapulars, and lesser coverts, red 

 brown, intermixed with ash, and sprinkled with black; ter- 

 tials edged with yellowish white; wings plain and dusky; 

 lower part of the breast and belly pale yellowish white; 

 beautifully marked with numerous curving spots, or arrow 

 heads of black; tail ash, sprinkled with reddish brown; 

 legs very pale ash. 



The female differs in having the chin and sides of the 

 head yellowish brown, in which dress it has been described 

 as a diflferent kind. There is, however, only one species of 

 Quail at present known within the United States. 



