THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
The common red-legged partridge is a remarkably handsome species, 
and, as in other members of the group, the sexes are similar in plumage, 
and only to be distinguished externally by the larger size of the males, and 
by the blunt knobs on their legs. 
Food , — It feeds chiefly on young shoots and leaves of various plants, 
seeds and insects, the latter forming an important part of its diet during 
the summer-months. In autumn and winter it picks up quantities of 
grass in addition to its other food. 
Flight . — Like its allies, it is an inveterate runner, generally trusting 
to the swiftness of its feet to escape from approaching danger, and seldom 
taking wing unless hard pressed or suddenly disturbed. Once on the wing, 
however, its flight is fairly rapid and straight, and for this reason it affords 
capital sport when driven; but if shot over dogs or walked up in cover, 
its cursorial habits are very trying to the temper. Not only does it 
generally refuse to rise until it has reached the further end of the field, 
and is probably out of shot, but it disturbs and puts up any covey of grey 
partridges it may chance to meet with on its course. 
Breeding habits . — Like the grey partridge, the red-leg is strictly mono- 
gamous, and becomes more quarrelsome and addicted to fighting in 
spring, and there can be no doubt that the two species frequently indulge 
in fierce combats during the pairing-season. By many the red-leg is 
believed to drive off the smaller species, and for that reason is regarded 
with disfavour ; all the evidence, however, seems to show that the grey 
partridge is not only perfectly able to hold its own, but is generally victori- 
ous, when it comes to a fight. Sometimes pairs of the two species are 
anxious to occupy the same nesting-site, and if they disagree the red -legs 
generally find the place too hot to hold them. This is, however, by no means 
always the case, for their nests are often to be seen in close proximity, and 
eggs of both species are not infrequently to be found in the same nest. 
Nest . — ^The nesting-habits of the red-leg are much like those of the grey 
partridge. The nest is usually a slight hollow scraped in the ground among 
grass and herbage growing at the bottom of some hedge or young planta- 
tion — growing crops are also resorted to, and sometimes the tops of 
stacks. 
Eggs . — The eggs, which vary from ten to eighteen in number, are laid 
towards the end of April, or early in May, and are easily recognized. 
They are typically of a regular oval form, but pyriform eggs are of frequent 
occurrence. The shell is thick and finely mottled all over ; and the colour 
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