Practical Game-Preserving. 14 



Of the Red-legged Partridge it is difficult to speak 

 without running contrary to rather pointed opinions held 

 in many quarters. As far, however, as their general habits 

 go, they differ immaterially from the ordinary bird. 

 Their mating-time and practices are the same, but they 

 nest in quite different manner, the eggs being deposited 

 at odd times over a lengthened period, one or two being 

 laid, and sometimes no more dropped for a week or ten 

 days, and the remainder in desultory fashion. The birds 

 prefer, as a rule, rougher and less cultivated ground 

 commons, short coppice, and the like for nesting places. 

 They choose, moreover, higher ground for the purpose, are 

 hardier, and suffer far less from wet seasons. They pack 

 more readily towards the close of the season, and speaking 

 from the point of shooting over dogs, are decidedly 

 inferior birds, by reason of their running powers and 

 propensities. 



At the same time, none but those of ultra-conservative 

 taste and prejudice should object to the French Partridge. 

 It is a strong, healthy, hardy bird, whose defects have 

 been largely exaggerated, notably the one which is laid to 

 its discredit of causing the ordinary partridge to die out 

 wherever " Red-legs " become established. It is very 

 probable that many of the merits of this game-bird have 

 been severely and unjustifiably overlooked. 



As in the case of the pheasants, the Hon. Walter 

 Rothschild suggests that there are several species that with 

 advantage might be acclimatised. First on the list are the 

 Snow Partridges (Tetrao gallus), two other species of Red- 

 Legged Partridges (C. saxatilis and C. melanocephala), 

 the Bearded Partridge (Perdix daurica), the common 

 Francolin or Black Partridge (Francolinus francolinus), 

 two species of Sand Partridge (Ammoperdix bonhami and 

 A. neyi\ &c. 



