PARTRIDGE. 65 



not to be an uncommon occurrence in that district, though, at that time, we were unaware 

 that Partridges ever congregated in winter in greater numbers than an ordinary covey, 

 or double covey, which is sometimes found where two pairs have nested close together, 

 and the young birds have got mingled, and remained with one pair. Packing, however, 

 is rare in most districts, particularly where small enclosures prevail. 



The Partridge is very fond of basking and sunning itself during the middle of the 

 day in warm and sheltered situations, such as on the sunny side of a hedge bank; and 

 like other gallinaceous birds, it frequently dusts itself, as we see Sparrows do in the 

 dry and dusty roads. 



After leaving the feeding-ground at dusk for their roosting-places, which are very 

 frequently grass fields, the covey first separates, and runs over a considerable space of 

 ground, as if to ascertain that all is safe and quiet; the old cock may be heard as if 

 directing these movements, and when the ground has been sufficiently examined, he calls 

 them to him, and they pass the night all close together, arranged in a circle, with 

 their heads to the outside. 



Mr. Thompson mentions a very curious circumstance with respect to the Partridge, 

 which it is difficult to account for. He says, "There is a singular difference in habit 

 between the Partridge of the north of Ireland and that of the opposite portion of Scotland, 

 as is well known to sportsmen who have shot in both countries : I have myself remarked 

 it with some interest. An Irish covey generally springs without uttering a call; but 

 the Scotch covey shrieks with all its might when sprung. The Scotch birds too, even 

 where very little molested, more knowingly take care of themselves than the Irish : their 

 watchfulness is extraordinary. Their sense of hearing, as well as sight, must be remarkably 

 acute. One day in the mouth of October, an experienced sportsman and myself sprang 

 either twenty-four or twenty-six covies (nearly all double, or containing about two dozen of 

 birds) in the neighbourhood of Ballantrae, when they all not only forbade a near approach, 

 but, though we advanced as silently as possible, never admitted us into the same field 

 with them. I have known Partridges, that when sprung there called loudly like old 

 cock birds, prove, on being shot, young birds of the year." 



Their call note on these occasions has been likened by Meyer to the words 'chisick, chisick.' 



The Partridge is strictly monogamous, and when pairing has once taken place, it is 

 truly "to love and to cherish, till death do us part." 



Partridges, when placed under certain unusual circumstances, appear sometimes to 

 lose entirely their presence of mind, if one may so term their attempts at self-preservation; 

 in illustration of this we quote the following, as recorded in "The Naturalist" by Johu 

 Williamson, Esq., Jun., of Emmanuel College, Cambridge: — "At the last Newmarket 

 Houghton meeting, on Friday, the 29th. of October, (1852,) and during the racing, a 

 covey of seven Partridges flew across the Heath to the poles near the betting-stand. 



