The Partridge. Perdix Cinerea. //? ,, // 



Numb. XXVII. /f^. 



IT S Length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is i S Inches and three 

 quarters ; Breadth 2q Inches 5 its Weight 15- Ounces. 



The Bill in young Partridges is of a dufky yellow Colour, but in old Birds It grows 

 white ; the Irides of the Eyes are a little yellowifh ; under the Eyes are certain red Ex- 

 crelcencies j the Chin and Sides of the Head are of a fafFron-colour ; the Cock hath under 

 his Breaft a red femicircular Figure, refembling a Horfe-fhoe ; below the Chin, as far as 

 the Horfe-fhoe Mark, is of a blue cinereous adorned with tranfverfe black Lines j under 

 that Mark the Colour fades into a pale cinereous yellow ; the longer Feathers on the Sides 

 of the Breaft and Belly have each of them a great tranfverfe red Spot, their Shafts being 

 white ; the upper Side of the Body is party-coloured of red, cinereous and black. 



The prime Feathers in each Wing are about z-^ in Number, of which the foremoft 

 are dufky, with tranfverfe yellowifh white Spots ; the longefl Feather of the Wing is five 

 Inches and a quarter ; the interior covert Feathers of the Wings, and the long Feathers 

 fpringino- from the Shoulders have their Shafts of a yellowifh white. 



The Tail is made up of 18 Feathers ; the four middlemofl Feathers are party-coloured 

 hke the reft on the Body ; the other y on each Side are of a fordid red with cinereous Tips- ; 

 The Legs are bare below the Knee, and have no Appearance of Spurs ; in the young they 

 are greenifh, but in the old ones whitifh ; the Toes are joined together with a Membrane 

 as in the Heathcocks. 



It hath a great Craw and mufculous Stomach or Gizzard, and a Gall-bladder; for the 

 Tafle and Wholfomnefs of its Flefh it is defervedly preferred before all other Birds ; it 

 feeds upon Ants and Ants Eggs, Corn and other Grains ; it likewife feeds on green Corn 

 in the Winter, at which Time its Flefh is not fo commendable as in Summer and Autumn, 

 when it hath its Fill of the grain Corn. 



The Comtnoti Partridge is a multiparous Bird laying 16 or i8 Eggs before it fits; its 

 Flights are low and very fwift but fliort, by reafon of the Heavinefs of its Body and Short- 

 nefs of its Wings; they are more, rare and fell dearer in Jf<2/y than v/ith us ; in Winter they 

 accompany together the old ones with their Brood, which we call a Covy of Partridges, 

 from the French Word Cowuee or Flock of thofe Fowls ; in the Spring-time when they 

 pair together, they are obliged to part from the old ones, who beat them away. 



When any one comes near their Nefl, they caft themfelves down as if lame to draw or 

 intice them to follow, when they have got them a good Way from their Neft, fly directly- 

 away; and when all is quiet call together their Brood, who prefently run to the Voice of 

 their Dams. They likewife call one another together towards Sun-fet. 



II ne 



