BIRDS. 
2G7 
THE PARTRIDGE (Perdrix cbierea,) 
Is in weight about fourteen ounces. The shape of this bird 
is peculiar to itself and the quail, both having a very short 
tail; the plumage, although it cannot boast of gaudiness, is 
very pleasing to the eye, being altogether a mixture of 
brown and fawn colour, interspersed with gray and ash-co- 
lour tints. The head is small and pretty ; the beak strong, 
but short, and resembling that of all other granivorous birds. 
The female lays fifteen or eighteen eggs, and leads her 
brood in the corn fields with the utmost care. Young 
Partridges are among the birds which run fleetly the 
moment that they come out of the shell ; and they may 
sometimes be found running swiftly, with a piece of the 
shell still remaining on their heads. The affection of 
N 2 
