650 
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 
striving children. Their selfishness forbids all mutual 
alliance, and they only find safety from each other in 
roaming solitude. 
The Partridge is not partial to the depths of the for- 
est, though they sometimes seek the shelter of trees and 
perch on the low branches, or hide amongst the brush 
and underwood. Their favorite food, however, common- 
ly conducts them to the open fields, where they glean up 
various kinds of grain, and are particularly fond of rye 
and buckwheat, as well as Indian corn ; and, when not 
too much disturbed by the sportsman, will often, particu- 
larly in the autumn and winter, fearlessly assemble along 
the most public roads, or around the barn and stable, in 
search of a scanty pittance among the domestic fowls ; 
like them also very industriously scratching up straw, 
and probably the ground, in quest of grain and insects; 
which, with seeds, ^ and various kinds of buds and berries, 
as well as broken acorns, according to the season, often 
constitute a considerable part of their native diet. 
Remaining with us commonly the whole year, the lit- 
tle social band often sutler from the inclemency of the 
seasons. At this time, they perch together on some ris- 
ing ground, beneath the shelter of brush or briars, and 
forming a close circle, with their heads outward to dis- 
cern any approach of danger, they thus greatly aid each 
other by their mutual warmth to resist the chilling effects 
of frost. It is probable, however, they have no great 
fear of snow, when together, as they may often be seen 
patiently encountering the storm, as its white wreaths 
invade them, and frequently on the arrival of a thaw, 
unfortunate coveys, suspecting no danger, are found 
buried beneath the inundating waste, huddled together 
* Among others, the oily seeds of the common Bitter-weed or Ambrosia bipinnatifi- 
da , according to the information of Mr. Oakes. 
