C 19 ] 



A PARTRIDGE NEST 



May 7, 1855. A partridge flew up from within 

 three or four feet of me with a loud whir, and be- 

 trayed one cream-colored egg in a little hollow amid 

 the leaves. 



May 12. I find the partridge-nest of the 7th par- 

 tially covered with dry oak leaves, and two more 

 eggs only, three in all, cold. Probably the bird is 

 killed. 



May 26. The partridge which on the 12th had 

 left three cold eggs covered up with oak leaves is 

 now sitting on eight. She apparently deserted her 

 nest for a time and covered it. i 



Journal, vii, 363, 371, 390. 



' These entries illustrate a habit of Thoreau's — examples of which 

 abound in the journal — of following up an interesting subject so as to 

 make a complete record. Bradford Torrey remarks that Thoreau's pro- 

 nunciation of the family name, which was very much like the adjective 

 "thorough," suggests a conspicuous trait in his character. H. W. G. 



