62 REPORT OF BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. 
fewer and smaller except in the remote sections of a few counties. To 
meet this situation and fill the gap caused by the encroachments of 
civilization it was decided to make a trial with the Hungarian par¬ 
tridge, which, according to some excellent authorities, is in a manner 
dependent on man, and tend to increase on arable or cultivated land, 
and where there is none, or it has been changed to pasture they seem 
to decrease. As they are not a ‘ ‘ brush ’ ’ bird, it is believed they would 
readily adapt themselves to the conditions to be found in our great 
grain and fruit growing valleys from which the valley quail have 
practically disappeared. 
In size they are somewhat larger than our mountain quail, but much 
swifter on the wing. Their food covers a considerable variety, all 
kinds of insects, wild berries, grain and other seeds, and almost any 
kind of green food. In appearance they are not unlike the bobwhite 
quail of the Eastern States, but fully twice as large and more prettily 
colored. The head and throat are of a light reddish brown color, with 
yellow stripes on the top of the head. A distinguishing feature is a 
brown shield in the shape of a horseshoe more or less distinct on the 
breast. 
Like the bobwhite the partridges of Europe sleep on the ground in cir¬ 
cular groups with heads pointed outward, ready to detect the approach 
of an enemy from any quarter and to scatter in every direction when 
danger threatens. They are not polygamous, but separate into pairs 
early in spring and seek places for nesting and raising of their broods. 
At this time the males become very pugnacious, and will attack 
vigorously any intruders of his own kind. The nest is a very simple 
affair, built on the ground in a small hole after the fashion of our 
valley quail. The eggs are laid on the bare ground and covered with 
grass and leaves. When the hen has finished laying she proceeds to 
place the grass and leaves underneath the eggs. A young partridge 
hen will lay from 8 to 12 eggs, and an old hen from 16 to 22. The 
male assists the hen in rearing the brood, and shows much skill in 
protecting and feeding the young birds. When able to fly the old 
birds take them out to the roads to dust themselves and search for 
ants’ eggs and insects, which form their chief diet until they are full 
grown. 
Contributors to London Field in 1904, and again in 1909, in speaking 
of partridges say: ‘ ‘ The value of Hungarian partridges has of late years 
been fully demonstrated and their introduction has now long passed 
the experimental stage.” * * ;X< “The advantage of turning out 
Hungarian birds can not be overestimated. They are suitable from 
every point of view, stronger and hardier than our native birds, and 
therefore more capable of rearing large coveys.” 
To the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture for 
