878 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



more black-brown ; P. p. sphagnetorum (Moors N.E. Holland and 

 adjacent part Germany) is very dark with much black on upper- 

 parts and darker than last on breast ; P.p. italica (Italy) is rather 

 darker than P. p. perdix and has browner and less chestnut 

 penultimate bars on upper-parts but is not so dark as hispaniensis ; 

 P. p. lucida (Poland, Baltic Provinces) is slightly, and P. p. robusta 

 (most Russia and W. Siberia) considerably, paler and greyer on upper- 

 parts (especially rump) than P. p. perdix ; P. p. furvescens (Talish), 

 P. p. canescens (Transcaucasia) and P. p. arenicola (S.W. Siberia) 

 have also been described. Yellowish -chestnut throat, vermiculated 

 grey breast, dark chestnut tail and horse-shoe mark on breast and 

 penultimate bars on upper -parts and flanks distinguish Common 

 Partridge from other British game-birds. 



Field-characters. — A bird of cultivated ground generally, but 

 most abundant in corn-growing districts and light lands. Easily 

 identified by its rotund form, short grey neck, brownish-grey upper- 

 parts and chestnut horse -shoe patch on lower-breast. Runs 

 quickly ; in mating season a bird often chases another — a rival or 

 prospective mate — for a considerable distance. Crouches when 

 alarmed, and is then difficult to detect on bare ground. Like 

 Grouse, very solicitous for young brood, endeavouring to distract 

 attention from chicks by alluring antics and loud cries. Gregarious ; 

 young remain with parents until advent of pairing season in early 

 February. Flight swift, direct and noisy, accomplished by rapid 

 wing-beats followed by glide on rigid downward curving wings. 

 Cry of male a loud and very hoarse " caer-wit, caer-wit." 



Breeding-habits. — Haunts open country, meadows, cultivation 

 and waste lands, most plentiful on light soils. Nest. — A hollow in 

 ground, often by roadside or near hedgerow, but also sometimes in 

 open fields, lined with grasses and dead leaves and sheltered by 

 growing vegetation. Eggs. — Rather pyriform in shape, 9 or 10 to 

 20 as a rule, but much larger numbers (up to 40) on record, probably 

 produce of two hens : uniform olive-brown in colour with occasional 

 whitish or blue varieties. Average of 100 British eggs, 36.79 X 27.47. 

 Max. : 38.9x28.4 and 37.7x29.4. Min. : 33.8x26.3 and 37.5 X 

 25.7 mm. Breeding-season. — In most cases during end April 

 and early May, but exceptionally from beginning of April in 

 England. Incubation. — By female only. Period 24-25 days, though 

 Saunders gives 21-23 days. Single brooded. 



Food. — Chiefly shoots and leaves of grass and clover as well as 

 seeds of many species including Polygonum, Trifolium, Alchemilla, 

 Galium, Spergula, Persicaria, Poa, etc. Turnip leaves, young 

 shoots of heather, bramble and blaeberry, hawthorn berries and 

 corn also eaten. In spring and summer insects are also taken, 

 including diptera (Tipulidce and larvae), coleoptera and hymenoptera 

 (ants and their pupae being very favourite food). Also aphides. 

 Once recorded as eating pears on tree ! 



