I 
and auricles, frequently erected, especially when the bird is 
surprised ; tail composed of sixteen feathers, the six centre 
ones of which are inclined to ash colour. 
This elegant species exceeds the Conamon Partridge in 
size; it measures twenty inches across the wings, is 
fourteen inches in length, and weighs from eighteen to 
twenty ounces. 
The claim this species has to a place among British 
Birds is dubious, yet, as it is now met with in considerable 
abundance in several parts of this kingdom, and has been 
recorded as a native by various writers, we do not hesitate 
to figure it; not that we consider it improbable that it 
should be a native, at least a migratory one, as the Quail 
(a nearly allied species) is well known to leave and return 
to this country, at stated periods, though not gifted with 
e<^iml powers of wing with the present bird. 
In habits it differs considerably from the Common 
Partridge, frequently perching on trees, and taking more 
pains in constructing its nest, which is composed of dry 
grass, straws, and dead leaves, and it deposits its eggs 
with considerable care ; whereas the common species lays 
its eggs on the bare ground, without any nest ; is par- 
ticularly solicitous for the preservation of its young, and 
practices much art in deluding any one from its haunts ; in 
f'-nlnrs the species widely differ, as the Red- 
jjeggea Fariiridge wiW frequently sit on its eggs till almost ' 
trod upon, and then suddenly risiug, will quit the nest 
often for many hours together ; it has been known to build 
