THE COMMON AMERICAN PARTRIDGE. 
61 
sunk in the ground. The eggs are from ten to eighteen, rather sharp at the 
smaller end, and of a pure white. The male at times assists in hatching 
them. This species raises only one brood in the year, unless the eggs or 
the young when yet small have been destroyed. When this happens, the 
female immediately prepares another nest ; and should it also be ravaged, 
sometimes even a third. The young run about the moment after they make 
their appearance, and follow their parents until spring, when, having 
acquired their full beauty, they pair and breed. 
The Partridge rests at night on the ground, either amongst the grass or 
under a bent log. The individuals which compose the flock form a ring, 
and moving backwards, approach each other until their bodies are nearly in 
contact. This arrangement enables the whole covey to take wing when 
suddenly alarmed, each flying off in a direct course, so as not to interfere 
with the rest. 
These birds are easily caught in snares, common dead-falls, traps and pens, 
like those for the Wild Turkey, but proportionate to the size of the bird. 
Many are shot, but the principal havoc is effected by means* of nets, 
especially in the Western and Southern States. The method employed is 
as follows : 
A number of persons on horseback, provided with a net, set out in search 
of Partridges, riding along the fences or briar-thickets, which the birds are 
known to frequent. One or two of the party whistle in imitation of the 
second caAl-note above described, and as Partridges are plentiful, the call is 
soon answered by a covey, when the sportsmen immediately -proceed to 
ascertain their position and number, seldom considering it worth while to 
set the net when there are only a few birds. They approach in a careless 
manner, talking and laughing as if merely passing by. When the birds are 
discovered, one of the party gallops off in a circuitous manner, gets in 
advance of the rest by a hundred yards or more, according to the situation 
of the birds, and their disposition to run, while the rest of the sportsmen 
move about on their horses, talking to each other, but at the same time 
watching every motion of the Partridges. The person in advance being 
provided with the net, dismounts and at once falls to placing it, so that his 
companions can easily drive the Partridges into it. No sooner is the 
machine ready, than the net-bearer remounts and rejoins the party. The 
sportsmen separate to a short distance, and ‘follow the Partridges, talking 
and whistling, clapping their hands, or knocking upon the fence-rails. The 
birds move with great gentleness, following each other, and are kept in the 
right direction by the sportsmen. The leading bird approaches and enters 
the mouth of the net, the others follow in succession, when the net-bearer 
leaps from his horse, runs up and secures the entrance, and soon despatches 
Yol. Y. 9 
