THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
spots; but such markings, as already pointed out, are characteristic of 
all hen birds in the breeding -season, from May till August or September. 
Dr Bureau was not aware of this fact when he wrote his paper. Up to the 
present time comparatively few examples of the so-called P. charrela have 
been examined and, as in the case of the migratory form P. damascena 
mentioned above, a series of well -prepared specimens is required to 
confirm the differences which are said to be characteristic of the race. 
Distribution in the British Isles. — In England the partridge is generally 
distributed, and it is also abundant in many parts of Scotland. In Ireland 
its numbers are said to be steadily diminishing, and in some parts it 
has entirely disappeared. 
Food. — ^The diet of the partridge is very varied, but consists principally 
of tender shoots and leaves of various weeds and clovers, grass-seeds, 
grain and berries, as well as beetles and other insects, grubs, ants’ pupae 
and small molluscs. Birds inhabiting the edges of the moorlands also 
eat shoots of heather. 
Flight. — ^The flight of the partridge is remarkably strong and swift. 
It rises with a loud whirring sound, made by the rapid beats of its short 
rounded wings, and, when clean moulted, is soon under way, and 
travelling at a great pace. It glides along with outstretched wings, skim- 
ming over the hedges and trees, altering its course, and varying its pace, 
with the greatest ease and quickness. During a long flight, which often 
covers a mile or more, the pace is maintained by a few rapid wing-beats 
and intervals of gliding with out-stretched wings. The legs are always 
fully extended beneath the tail in flight, and are only brought forward 
when the bird is on the point of settling on the ground. 
Breeding habits. — ^The partridge is strictly monogamous, and in this 
country generally pairs very early in the year. If the season is open and 
mild, paired birds may be seen in the south of England towards the 
end of January, during the last days of the shooting season, and the coveys 
have all broken up by the end of February or early in March. 
It is a distinctly gregarious bird, except during the pairing and nesting 
season, when fighting takes place, not only between the cocks for the 
possession of the hens, but also between the latter themselves, and the 
pairs often unite in driving off other pairs which have encroached too 
near the site selected for their nest. In early spring the cocks may con- 
stantly be seen chasing one another over the ploughed fields and grass- 
lands, sparring, springing up into the air, and striking at one another 
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