PLATE VII. 
The Partridge. 
TThE fpordng world is well acquainted with the external difcriminations of this bird ; but it does 
not therefore follow that all its peculiar manners and cuftoms are equally and generally known. I 
Ihall, then, offer fome few remarks, — 
Thefe birds feed upon green com, and are likewife very deftruftive to wheat in the ear. They 
continue among the ftubble, until it can no longer afford them provifion, and then refort to the 
green turnips in covies, which never feparate before the approach of the pairing feafon. They lay 
fixteen eggs, or more, and in general produce an equal number of young ones, which, although 
able to run as foon as hatched, are the moft tender of the feathered tribe. The female having found 
a place for them to drink, they attend it periodically for that purpofe. Her induftry to difcover 
the neft of the ant, or pifmire, in order to fcratch for their eggs, and feed her little progeny, is 
extremely curious. Thefe birds are fometimes hatched under a bantam hen, and may be eafily 
reared by a conftant fupply of ant's eggs. For the fpace of ten or twelve months they will fol- 
low the hen, which, during that period, is totally regardlefs of her own fpecies. Their long at- 
tendance on the brood renders it evident that partridges fit but once in a feafon, except their eggs 
be taken. They never feparate but on the report of a gun. They may fcatter, but they have a 
note, or call, by which they are eafily colleaed. Wild as they are, you may approach thefe birds, 
when fitting, fo near as to reach them with the hand ; for they never forfake their nefts without the 
utmoft reludance. Although their eggs are many, the young ones come all together. It deferves 
to be remarked, as a curious proof of inffina, that if the hen is put up, and her young are near, 
fhe flies a few yards, and then drops as if wounded : and this llratagem file will repeat until the fup- 
pofed enemy is decoyed away at a confiderable diftance ; her little family, in the mean time, being 
very aBive on their part in fecreting themfelves from the threatened danger. Then, her artifice hav- 
ing fucceedcd, (lie returns to them with anxious concern for their fafety. 
No. III. 
G 
