222 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



away with extraordinary violence until the impel- 

 ling force is spent, when it slopes gradually towards 

 the earth, the distance it is able to accomplish at a 

 flight being from 800 to 1500 yards. This flight it 

 can repeat when driven up again as many as three 

 times, after which the bird can rise no more. 



The call of the Great Partridge is heard, in fine 

 weather, at all seasons of the year, especially near 

 sunset, and is uttered while the bird sits concealed 

 in the grass, many individuals answering each other ; 

 for although I call it a solitary bird, many birds are 

 usually found living near each other. The song or 

 call is composed of five or six notes of various length, 

 with a mellow flute-like sound, and so expressive 

 that it is, perhaps, the sweetest bird-music heard on 

 the pampas. 



The eggs are usually five in number, nearly round, 

 highly polished, and of a dark reddish-purple or 

 wine colour ; but this beautiful tint in a short time 

 changes to a dull leaden hue. The nest is a mere 

 scrape, insufficiently lined with a few grass-leaves. 

 Tlie young birds appear to leave the mother (or 

 father, for it is probable that the male hatches the 

 eggs) at a very early period. When still very small 

 they are found living, like the adults, a solitary life, 

 with their faculties, including those of flight and 

 the musical voice, in a high state of perfection. 



