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Eastern Asia the common Partridge is replaced by a tolerably closely allied but perfectly distinct 

 species, Perdix barbata, Verr., which differs in having the feathers on the throat long and 

 acuminate ; the horseshoe-shaped mark on the breast is deep black instead of dark chestnut ; and 

 the bird is smaller in size than our Partridge. 



There are few of our British birds whose habits are better known than those of the present 

 species ; for it is so highly esteemed as a game-bird that almost every country gentleman is 

 thoroughly well acquainted with it. It usually frequents cultivated ground, or at all events 

 places that are tolerably free from tree-growth, such as heaths, commons, or large tracts of grass- 

 land, and does not resort to woods ; nor does it ever appear to affect localities where the general 

 growth is composed of marsh-grass, being a frequenter of the dry uplands, and not of low damp 

 localities. Where the soil is well cultivated it is generally found in the fields, either in grass- 

 fields and pastures or else in corn- or turnip-fields. During the winter season the Partridges 

 keep together in coveys, seeking their food in the stubbles or anywhere that suitable food is to 

 be had, until the early spring, when they disperse and pair to make arrangements for nidification. 

 The Partridge is strictly a ground-bird, never perching on a tree ; and it is very strong and swift 

 on foot. When in search of food it walks quietly and sedately along, rather in a stooping 

 attitude, the neck drawn in, and the general figure rounded ; but directly it is in the least 

 alarmed it stands erect, with outstretched neck, looking round to see where the clanger threatens, 

 and then, after giving a preliminary jerk of the tail, it starts off either on the wing or on foot, 

 and in the latter case runs at a great speed for some distance. It is, however, an adept at 

 crouching and hiding ; any corner or unevenness in the soil is enough to constitute a hiding- 

 place ; and it will frequently crouch so close, trusting to the similarity in coloration between the 

 soil and its plumage, that one may pass quite close without seeing it. When the Partridge 

 takes wing it rises obliquely to some height, and then flies off in a straight line with a rapid 

 motion of the wings, which produces a whirring sound ; and when flying some distance it will sail 

 along for a short space with outstretched wings, and then resume the rapid flapping motion. 

 It is somewhat remarkable how close a covey will keep together, even after having been 

 disturbed. Should a part fly off and settle down again in close cover at some distance, the 

 remainder, perhaps scattered and flushed singly, as soon as they rise, fly directly to the place 

 where their companions are, however closely concealed ; and even when thoroughly scattered they 

 will, when all danger is over, call each other and soon reunite. Should the old birds be shot off 

 with a portion of the young out of a covey, the survivors will usually join another covey, where, 

 after a short time, they are treated on terms of perfect equality. 



The nest of the Partridge is always on the ground, generally in a grass-field, or else under 

 shelter of a bush, sometimes in a hedge-row, and is a mere depression scratched in the ground, 

 with a few dry straws as a lining : and the normal number of eggs appears to be from twelve to 

 sixteen ; but occasionally as many as twenty are deposited. Mr. Benzon informs me that in 

 Denmark a spike is often placed in the nest in such a position that the bird cannot sit, and that 

 it will then lay more than twenty eggs — in fact so many that the spike is covered by them. 

 The eggs are pale olivaceous brown in colour, and average about l\l by lf$ inch in size. 



It seems probable that sometimes more than one female deposits eggs in the same nest ; for 

 Yarrell cites instances of twenty-eight and thirty-three eggs having been found ; and in one of the 



