TARTRIDGE. 



89 



BASORES. TETRAONIDjE. 



PLATE CLIIL 



PARTRIDGE. 



TETRA0 PERDIX. 



The Partridge is so well-known that nothing new can be 

 said on the subject ; but in many respects it has more claim 

 upon our attention than almost any other bird. This bird feeds 

 so many men of all classes and in such different ways, that it 

 remains a matter of doubt whether the plentiful and well- 

 flavoured stock of them is a blessing or not ! In the first 

 place, the Partridge now before us affords great pleasure to 

 sportsmen, and is indeed much better flavoured than the 

 same species abroad, and the great number of Partridges in 

 Britain proves that the climate and soil suit them. The 

 flesh of the Partridge supplies the table of the epicure with a 

 delicious morsel, and the pursuit of it is as much relished by 

 the sportsman : then follows feeding the poachers, feeding 

 the gentlemen of the law, feeding newspapers with matter 

 for their lists of accidents and offences ; and, lastly, though 

 not least, feeding the flame of contention between large land- 

 owners and their tenants. A list ad infinitum might be 

 made out, of feeding game-keepers, dog-stealers, hawks, stoats, 

 and a great number of those lower animals ; but suffice it to 

 say, that there is hardly a topic more generally digested than 

 that of the Partridge throughout the year. 



The Partridge inhabits most temperate climates, and 



