134 
NATURAL HISTORY 
PARTRIDGE. 
The shape of the Partridge is peculiar to 
himself and the quail, both having a very 
short tail ; his plumage, although it cannot 
boast of gaudiness, is very pleasing to the 
eye, being altogether a mixture of brown 
and fawn-colour interspersed with grey and 
ash-colour tints. The female lays fifteen or 
eighteen eggs ; and leads her young into the 
corn fields with the utmost care. It is said, 
that when a dog or any other formidable 
animal approaches her nest, she uses every 
artifice in order to entice it away. She turns 
out, pretends to be incapable of flying, just 
hops up, then runs a short distance, but not 
so far as to discourage her pursuer; at 
length, having allured him entirely away 
from her secret treasure, she at once takes 
wing, and leaves him to gaze after her in 
despair. 
