92 TETRAON1D.I. 



but its short, blunt wings are not adapted for keeping this 

 plump bird for any length of time in the air. The strong 

 muscles of its wings allow it not only to strike the air 

 rapidly on taking flight, but are quite equal to the freeing 

 itself from the grasp of a hand that attempts to take the 

 bird alive, and this escape is more frequently accomplished 

 by the bird backing itself unawares. After the Partridge 

 has escaped from its pursuers, it continues and ends its 

 flight in a sailing manner, and alights at last sidelong. We 

 have never seen or heard of Partridges perching on trees 

 or on buildings, but we had, not long ago, an opportunity of 

 seeing one of them mount on the very top of an elm, after 

 having been wounded in the head. We have lately observed, 

 among other new occurrences, that Partridges cross the 

 line of a railroad not only in sight and hearing of a train in 

 motion, but that these birds very frequently fly over a train 

 of carriages and alight close to the very spot, so that one 

 may see them run on the ground before the train is past. 

 It is probable that Partridges become as much accustomed 

 to railroad noises as horses and other animals do. The 

 wires which constitute the telegraphic communication on 

 some lines of railways are the cause of the death of many 

 birds, particularly Partridges, which fly against the wires 

 during dark mornings, and are found dead on the lines by 

 the workmen. 



The strong claws of the Partridge serve it chiefly in 

 scratching the ground for food, and clearing a place for 

 roosting, and besides as weapons of offence among the males, 

 when any occasion offers during the pairing season. 



Partridges used not to be shy, and are not so now in 

 places where they are not continually fired at and pursued by 

 sportsmen. Where they are allowed to go about unmolested, 

 it is very amusing to see them leading as sociable a life as 

 possible, feeding twice a day, and dusting themselves very 



