54 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



with dark brown. They measure on an average i6 inch in 

 length by i'2 inch in breadth. Very often the hen lays at 

 irregular intervals. Incubation, which is performed by the 

 female, lasts about twenty-four days. As soon as the brood is 

 hatched, the male assists his mate in bringing up the chicks. 

 Eggs of the Pheasant and the Common Partridge are occasionally 

 found in the nest of this species. I have known instances where 

 the Red-legged Partridge has destroyed an entire brood of the 

 Common Partridge ; and in spite of oft-repeated statements to 

 the contrary, I am firmly of opinion that the two birds are better 

 apart. I would not advise the introduction or the encouragement 

 of the Red-legged Partridge in any district where the Common 

 Partridge is already flourishing. There may be, however, many 

 wild districts unsuitable to the latter species where the former 

 might be established with advantage. Only one brood is reared 

 in the year. 



Diagnostic Characters. — Caaabis, with the gorget and 

 lores black, the throat white, and the feathers of the upper breast 

 brown, spotted with black. Length, 13 to 14 inches. 



