90 TETRA.ONID.E. 



is consequently found throughout central Europe ; and in 

 Asia from the south of Siberia to Persia, where it is found 

 in great numbers. In Great Britain the Partridge is in- 

 digenous, and frequents chiefly, or rather in greater num- 

 bers, agricultural districts. Some continental ornithologists 

 affirm that Partridges migrate, and state that these birds 

 travel in flocks of from fifty to several hundred ; and the 

 manner in which they migrate is rather extraordinary ; they 

 both run and fly, or flutter along the surface of the ground in 

 such a hurried manner, that the hindermost continually tum- 

 ble over those in advance. Although there is no mention 

 of a different species, those birds that are reported to arrive 

 southward about October and November, are considered to 

 be not quite so large as our Partridge, and their legs are 

 rather browner in the colouring. The inducement for mi- 

 grating must be, of course, in order to escape the severity of 

 the winter, or from scarcity of food in the native districts of 

 these travellers. 



The Partridge frequents, by choice, agricultural districts, 

 as we have already mentioned, for there it finds choice and 

 plenty of food ; it is, however, necessary to have low bushes, 

 brambles, or hedgerows, to which the bird can run for shelter 

 and concealment. It is also more plentiful in undulating 

 countries, than where flat meadows and pasture-land extend 

 to a great distance. In woods and forests the Partridge does 

 not reside. 



In the spring of the year Partridges frequent ploughed 

 fields, clover-fields, &c, in single pairs, making themselves 

 thoroughly acquainted with the locality in which they intend 

 to breed. During the summer they remain hidden among the 

 standing corn. In autumn these birds are found in corn- 

 fields, stubble, or grass lands, among turnips or potatoes, and 

 along embankments of dry ditches, in hedges, osier-beds, and 

 heathy commons. During the winter these persecuted birds 



