THE PARTRIDGE 257 



They are all much alike in general build and structure; all 

 are handsome birds, and some, such as the Argus and Golden 

 Pheasants, are exceedingly beautiful in form and colouring. And 

 when we come to the Peacock, which crowns the Phasianidas, i.e. 

 the Pheasants proper, we may well be lost in wonder as we gaze 

 upon its gorgeous plumage. 



Among the other families of the order are the British Turkeys, 

 Curassows, Guans, Quails, &c. 



PHEASANTS (Family Phasianid^) 



This family includes Partridges, Pheasants proper (which 

 genus embraces our domestic fowls and the Peacock), Guinea-fowls, 

 and Turkeys. 



THE PARTRIDGE 



One of the most familiar of our game-birds is the common 

 Partridge. This bird is about the size of a small hen, and is 

 beautifully coloured with brown, black, gray, and red. 



The Partridge is found very often in the corn-fields, where it 

 may run about among the grain without being seen. It makes its 

 nest of dead leaves and grass, generally hidden away at the foot of 

 a hedge or among the corn. There it may sit securely on its eggs, 

 which are usually about twenty in number and are greenish-yellow 

 in colour. As soon as the young birds are hatched they are able 

 to run about, and the parents take them out into the fields to look 

 for food. They make a pretty sight as they move about. 



The old birds take great care of their young, and the hen- 

 partridge will play a clever trick to allure an unsuspecting enemy 

 away from her brood. If anyone approaches them the young birds 

 scatter in all directions and disappear among the grass. But the 

 mother runs away from them, pretending she is wounded and 

 unable to fly. In this way she probably induces the intruder to 

 try and catch her ; but she never allows herself to be caught. She 

 always keeps just a little way in front of her pursuer, until she is 



(M868) S 



