4S CONCERNING PARTRIDGE-NESTS 41 
We have said nothing, hitherto, of the eggs of the 
partridge, and, indeed, their delicate olive coloration 
calls for little description or comment. But this olive 
coloration is by no means invariable. In rare 
instances the eggs of the partridge are white, or, in 
other words, entirely devoid of colouring pigment, a 
deficiency due, no doubt, to some abnormal suppres- 
sion of the secretions of the mother at the time that 
the egg was passing through the oviduct. A really 
pretty variety is of a uniform pale blue, without any 
blurring or surface-tracing, affording a graceful contrast 
to the usual olive ground colour. 
When at length the three weeks—during which 
the development of the chicks is accomplished—have 
terminated, and the tiny morsels of down chip the 
interior of their egg-shells, preparatory to emerging 
into independent life and action, the patience with 
which the partridge has shielded her treasures from 
harm is replaced by the fond anxiety with which she 
and her faithful mate endeavour to provide for the 
wants of their precocious family. As soon as the 
chicks have dried their down, and recovered from 
the helpless sprawling condition to which they are 
momentarily reduced by the frantic efforts that they 
have made to release their small bodies from the 
shivered egg-shells, the old birds lead their nurslings 
