BRITISH BIRDS* 
285 
of March and April, when the male feeks the fe- 
male ; they are then eafily difcoverable by the 
noife which they make in crowing and clapping 
their wings, which may be heard at fome diftance. 
The hen breeds on the ground like the Partridge, 
and lays from twelve to fifteen eggs, which are 
fmaller than thofe of the Common Hen ; the 
young follow the mother as foon as ever they are 
freed from the fhell. During the breeding feafon 
the cocks will fometimes intermix with the Com- 
mon Hen, and produce a hybrid breed, of which 
we have known feveral infiances. 
