2610 Birds. 



after it is hatched, as in particular seasons the young of one, two, and 

 even three pairs of birds, will all " pack " together. Upon reference 

 to rny journal, I find that about August 15th, 1844, owing to the con- 

 tinued dry season, partridges multiplied to an unusual degree. Double 

 coveys, numbering from twenty to twenty-five birds, were of frequent 

 occurrence. Some people slated that they saw as many as forty in 

 one covey, and a credible person informed me that he had counted 

 thirty. When these large parties occur, two hen birds must have in- 

 cubated eggs in the same field, very nearly together, and the young 

 have intermixed. In such a case, one pair of old birds only generally 

 take care of the two broods, the other entirely deserting them. 

 When coveys " pack " together later in the season, it is generally 

 owing to a great scarcity of turnips and green cropping, or lack of 

 other covert Partridges "jug" or roost for the night nestled close 

 on the ground, in a cluster, keeping their heads outwards and tails to 

 the centre. I have more than once surprised a covey in this position, 

 and upon being alarmed they flew away at all points of the compass. 

 Some coveys occupy the same spot, if not disturbed, for a fortnight or 

 more, and others change their quarters every night. I once noticed 

 a pair almost always about the pebbly beds of the Trent, very busily 

 occupied in turning over the stones, — I suppose for the aquatic in- 

 sects : this spot was a favourite one with them nearly a whole summer. 



Red-legged Partridge [Perdix rufa). A few years ago the late 

 Marquis of Hastings caused some pairs to be turned into the coverts 

 at Donnington Park. A pair, if not more, bred the first year, and 

 reared their broods, but they gradually strayed further and further 

 from the neighbourhood, and have now completely disappeared. A 

 bird of this species was shot in a liberty about four miles distant, 

 which was probably one of the party. It was found amongst turnips, 

 and did not rise immediately like the common partridge, but footed 

 away before the pointers to a considerable distance, and was very dif- 

 ficult to spring. The birds turned out at Donnington were bold and 

 quarrelsome, driving individuals of the common species from their ac- 

 customed haunts, and seemed therefore by no means desirable deni- 

 zens of shooting-grounds and copses. 



Common Quail {Perdix Coturnix). In June, 1840, I heard the 

 peculiar note of one in a potato-field, within a hundred yards of the 

 town of Melbourne, and was surprised that it frequented a spot so 

 near the homes of man. It was afterwards killed. 



Golden Plover [Charadrius pluvialis). With the large autumnal 

 flights of the common plover, which annually visit us, are occasionally 



