94 WOOD NOTES WILD. 
but the air, not even his “own proud breast,” as one 
distinguished observer has suggested. 
Wilson thinks the drumming may be heard nearly 
half a mile. He might safely have doubled the distance; 
though when we consider the low pitch, B flat, second line 
in bass staff, the fact is surprising. The tones somewhat 
resemble those of any deep drum, being very deceptive 
as to distance, often sounding near when far off, and far 
off when near. I describe the drumming as a succes- 
sion of thumps, the first dozen of which may be counted. 
The first two or three are soft and comparatively slow; 
then they increase rapidly in force and frequency, rush- 
ing onward into a furious whir, the whir subsiding in a 
swift but graduated diminish. The entire power of the 
partridge must be thrown into this exercise. His appear- 
ance immediately afterward affirms it as strongly as does 
the volume of sound; for he drops into the forlornest of 
attitudes, looking as if he would never move again. In 
a few minutes, however, perhaps five, he begins to have 
nervous motions of the head ; up, up, it goes, and his body 
with it, till he is perfectly erect, — legs, body, neck, and 
all. Then for the thunder once more:— 
ee aS 
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.. Whir. . . ~ 
The partridge, as the bass drummer, is an important 
member of the feathered orchestra. 
