380 REPTILES AND* BIRDS. 



with a layer of fat which is unsurpassable in richness and flavour. 

 Its flesh is sweet and delicate, and emits an odour grateful alike to> 

 the nose and palate. This bird ranks immediately after the Wood- 

 cock and the Snipe in the estimation of epicures. 



The capture of Quails is accomplished with a net or trap, in which 

 bait is placed ; they are also shot over a dog (Plate XIV. I This 

 last method is the only one nowadays allowed in France ; and, thanks 

 to this restriction, the bird is destroyed- on a less extensive scale than 

 in past times, so that the species may not ultimately be exterminated. 

 This bird is not larger than a Thrush. 



The Partridge \Perdix) has a sharply re-curvate beak,, a thick- 

 set body, rounded wings, and a short and drooping tail. The tarsi 

 of the male bird are either provided with or destitute of tubercles,, 

 according to the species, 



Partridges live constantly on the surface of the soil,, and never 

 perch except when they are absolutely forced to do so. They, like 

 the Quail, run with remarkable swiftness. Their flight is rapid, but 

 low, and does not extend to long distances. 



These birds are eminently sociable, and live during the principal 

 part of the year in flocks or coveys, composed of the parents and 

 the young of the last brood. They are not migratory, so seem to- 

 attach themselves to certain localities, which they never leave except 

 by accident or compulsion. 



Partridges pair early in the year, which union does not cease- 

 till after their parental duties are performed. 



In certain species, such as the Red-legged Partridge, where the. 

 females are less numerous than the males, a great number of the 

 latter remain single. As the cocks do not willingly resign themselves. 

 to single blessedness, their attempts to avoid it produce frequent 

 quarrels. These conflicts at last come to an end ; the various pairs* 

 are united ; and the unsuccessful candidates for affection, who ob- 

 jected to being bachelors, ultimately combine together. 



At the time for laying, the hen bird makes a hole in the earth, 

 which she lines with grass and leaves, and in it deposits her eggs, to- 

 the number of twelve or fifteen, and sometimes even twenty or more. 

 The season of incubation lasts about twenty days. During this time 

 the male bird watches over his companion, and guards her from 

 danger. When the young are hatched, paternal affection is added, 

 to conjugal love, for the father devotes himself to the care of his 

 children. He accompanies them in. their wanderings ; he teaches- 

 them to catch, grubs, finds ants' eggs, and shows himself as skilful as 

 the mother in guarding them from attacks of their enemies. At the 



