COMMON PARTRIDGE. 



343 



It is a common thing to place the eggs beneath the 

 domestic hen, who hatches and rears them as her 

 own : in this case the young birds require to be 

 fed with the larvae of ants, and well supplied with 

 fresh water: it is also recommended to give them 

 a mixture of woodlice and earwigs ; and occasion- 

 ally fresh curds, mixed with lettuce, chick weed, 

 or groundsel. 



The affection of Partridges for their offspring is 

 peculiarly interesting. Both the parents lead them 

 out to feed, they point out to them the proper 

 places for their food, and assist them in finding it 

 by scratching the ground with their feet ; they fre- 

 quently sit close by each other, covering the young 

 ones with their wings, like the hen ; and from this 

 situation they are not easily flushed ; if, how^ever, 

 they are disturbed, most persons acquainted with 

 rural affairs know the confusion that follows. The 

 male gives the first signal of alarm, by a peculiar 

 cry of distress ; throwing himself at the same mo- 

 ment more immediately into the way of danger, in 

 order to mislead the enemy, he flies, or rather 

 runs along the ground, hanging his wings, and 

 exhibiting every symptom of debility. By this 

 stratagem he seldom fails of so far attracting the 

 attention of the intruder, as to allow the female 

 to conduct the helpless, unfledged brood into some 

 place of security. 



The eggs of these birds are frequently destroyed 

 by weasels, foxes, and other rapacious animals. 

 When this has been the case, the female frequently 

 forms another nest, and lays afresh : the produce 



