PARTRIDGE 



25 



or five to thirty, afford considerable sport to the gunner. At this 

 time the notes of the male are most frequent, clear and loud. His 

 common call consists of two notes with sometimes an introductory 

 one, and is similar to the sound produced by pronouncing the 

 words " Bob White." This call may be easily imitated by whist- 

 ling, so as to deceive the bird itself, and bring it near. While 

 uttering this he is usually perched on a rail of the fence, or on a 

 low limb of an apple tree, where he will sometimes sit, repeating 

 at short intervals "Bob White for half an hour at a time. When 

 a covey are assembled in a thicket or corner of a field and about 

 to take wing, they make a low twittering sound, not unlike that of 

 young chickens ; and when the covey is dispersed, they are called 

 together again by a loud and frequently repeated note, peculiarly 

 expressive of tenderness and anxiety. 



The food of the Partridge consists of grain, seeds, insects, and 

 berries of various kinds. Buckwheat and Indian corn are parti- 

 cular favorites. In September and October the buckwheat fields 

 aflSord them an abundant supply, as well as a secure shelter. They 

 usually roost at night in the middle of a field on high ground; and 

 from the circumstance of their dung being often found in such 

 places in one round heap, it is generally conjectured that they roost 

 in a circle with their heads outwards, each individual in this posi- 

 tion forming a kind of guard to prevent surprize. They also con- 

 tinue to lodge for several nights in the same spot. 



The Partridge, like all the rest of the gallinaceous order, flies 

 with a loud whirring sound, occasioned by the shortness, conca- 

 vity and rapid motion of its wings, and the comparative weight of 

 its body. The steadiness of its horizontal flight, however, renders 

 it no difficult mark to the sportsman, particularly when assisted 

 by his sagacious pointer. The flesh of this bird is peculiarly white, 

 tender and delicate, unequalled, in these qualities, by that of any 

 other of its genus in the United States. 



VOL. VI. G 



