47 
CHAPTER V 
PARTRIDGES AS PETS 
THERE is a charm about the habits and actions of 
many of our native birds which renders it pleasant 
to detain individual specimens in captivity. Some 
species, it is true, are little suited to bear confine- 
ment ; either they chafe at the involuntary loss of 
their liberty, or they retain their natural fear of man, 
and resist all efforts intended to win their confidence. 
With the grey partridge itis otherwise. Domesticated 
partridges are, generally speaking, birds that have 
been brought up undera domestic hen. This was the 
case with a covey of nine birds which Mr. James 
Hutchings reared under a little bantam. The birds 
grew with great rapidity, and enjoyed a regular supply 
of insect food. The bantam hen was a kind and 
watchful foster-mother, and the covey seemed as fond 
of her and as obedient to her call as if she had been 
the parent bird. For some three weeks they were 
confined to a crib and pitched courtyard, but their 
