14 MATURAL HISTORY OF THE PARTRIDGE 
CHAPTER II 
PARTRIDGES IN THE FIELDS 
Tue partridge is one of the most sociable of game- 
birds, at least during the greater part of the year. 
The season of love, it is true, develops its disposition 
to find happiness in monogamy ; but the gregarious 
habits characterising birds of this genus are soon 
resumed, even if suspended for a few weeks, in 
obedience to the laws of increase. The incautious 
individuals of the race were long ago exterminated 
by their natural enemies, and the survivors are the 
descendants of such individuals as proved to be as 
superior in craft to their less fortunate fellows as they 
were found to be in the lists of love. Thus it has 
come about that no covey of birds seeks to roost in 
thick cover, or in undisciplined order. The senses 
of these persecuted birds have been so preternaturally 
sharpened in course of time that they avoid cover 
at night-time, and ‘jug’ together in the open field, 
taking advantage of any natural features of the ground 
