RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 97 



HA SORES. TKTRAONIDM. 



PLATE CLIV. 



RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 



PERDIX RUFA. 



The Red-legged Partridge, which is also called the French 

 Partridge and Guernsey Partridge, has been introduced into 

 this country by some noblemen, who have thereby added to 

 the number of game birds. 



Its most successful introduction into this country was made 

 by the Marquis of Hertford, about the year 1770 ; and a 

 friend of the author was some years since informed, by an old 

 man, that he remembered the time of their introduction in that 

 nobleman's estates at Sudbourn, in Suffolk, and his great 

 anxiety for their preservation ; and stated, that, when the first 

 nest of eggs was found, the Marquis had it watched night and 

 day. Since this period Suffolk has never been without these 

 birds, and in some localities they have almost superseded the 

 common or native species ; a subject of regret to sportsmen, 

 as these birds, through their unwillingness to take wing, spoil 

 the dogs : neither is their flesh considered so delicate or well 

 flavoured. 



This beautiful bird inhabits the southern parts of Europe ; 

 but, whether from partiality to some particular kind of food, 

 from influences of temperature, or from combinations of other 

 causes, it does not thrive equally well in all places ; occurring 

 plentifully in some parts, and not in others. In Asia and 

 Africa it is well known and plentiful. 



VOL. IV. H 



