386. REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



these facts abundantly prove that, with a little patience, it would be 

 possible to raise the Partridge to the dignity of a domestic farm- 

 yard fowl. 



The Partridge is highly esteemed by epicures ; it is also the 

 delight of the sportsman. On account of its abundance, especially 

 of the grey variety, it may be pronounced the favourite game of 

 France. Partridge-shooting, moreover, is what is generally chosen 

 for the education of the inexperienced shot: ; the dog, too, by the 

 constant display of] extraordinary sagacity, in no small degree contri- 

 butes to the charm of this sport (Plate XV). 



Let us now take a rapid glance at the various species of the 

 Partridge. The Common or Grey Partridge (Pej-dix cinereus, Plate, 

 XVI.) is the most numerous ; it is very plentiful over the whole of 

 Central Europe, the North of France, Belgium, Holland, and Great 

 Britain. In these countries it frequents the districts covered with 

 grain, green crops, and meadows. This bird is not altogether harm- 

 less to agriculture, as it is. not satisfied with the ears of corn left on 

 the surface, but scratches up the seed that has been sown. The 

 services which it renders in destroying worms, insects, and grubs, 

 doubtlessly compensate for these delinquencies. 



The migratory Grey Partridge, a variety of smaller size, which is not 

 known in England, is remarkable for its vagrant character, and forms 

 a singular contrast to the stay-at-home habits of the genus generally. 

 It makes its appearance in large flocks, at the most diverse seasons 

 and in the most varied latitudes. Not migratory in the proper sense 

 of the word, its journeys seem undertaken under the influence of 

 some unknown cause, and are wanting in regularity and constancy. 

 This bird is of a very shy nature, and is frequently met with in the 

 East (Turkey, Syria, and Egypt) ; it is sometimes noticed in France,; 

 where it is called the Damascus Partridge. 



Contrary to the Grey Partridge, the Red-legged, and those allied to 

 it, have the tarsi provided with tubercles. 



The Red-legged Partridge (Caccabis i'ufa, Plate XVII.) owes its. 

 name to the predominant colour of its plumage, and also to the 

 pink shade of its beak, tarsi, and feet. Uncultivated wastes, thinly 

 covered with heath, and undulating uplands adapted to the vine, are 

 its favourite resorts. It is a native of Spain and Italy, all Eastern 

 Europe, and • is very common in portions of Asia and Africa. In 

 France it is principally found in the south ; in the northern depart- 

 ments it is not so plentiful as the Grey Partridge. 



The brush-clad mountains are its home, where it ascends in fine 

 weather to altitudes verging on perpetual snow. It is very fond of 



