PARTRIDGE. Diltey 
as to excite much astonishment. My mother soon became 
very fond of it, and by degrees it was more with her than 
with me. Its cage was never inhabited; it would never sleep 
in confinement; therefore was awake and quite alive all the 
evening, being either in the lap or on the sofa. When he 
had changed his feathers and attained his full plumage, he 
refused to be handled, but his habits were as sociable as_before. 
His knowledge of every one was most extraordinary: his 
likings and dislikings were very strong; and he was so curious 
and observant, that no piece of furniture could be moved 
without his finding it out, and if the carpet was not smooth, 
he would set to work instantly to render it so by picking 
and scratching. 
He was very fond of gay colours, and no new eap or gown 
could be put on without its catching his attention. He never 
offered to go up or down stairs, and very rarely used his 
wings. On being gently chastised when he did fly, he would 
run and hide himself like a child, as if he knew he had done 
wrong. A box of earth was given him to rub in, which he 
thoroughly enjoyed. His feathers were always glossy and in 
the most perfect order, which I attribute to his always having 
plenty of green food, such as grass and clover cut small. In 
the winter he liked wheat, but rarely touched it in the summer; 
was very fond of sugar and cake; drank very little water; 
and liked his food dry. He never forgot any one he had 
made acquaintance with, and the return of any of the family 
after many months absence, caused him so much joy and 
excitement that I have been compelled to shut him up. He 
would distinguish their voices even before they got out of the 
carriage. His partiality for my mother was very great, and 
if she was asleep, nothing would tempt him to guit her, but 
he never liked her to be in the drawing-room. In the evening 
he always came into the drawing-room, and remained till we 
retired. He slept at my bed-side, and never disturbed me, 
nor got up himself, till I was called, and then he had a 
particular call if he fancied I was gone to sleep again. Once, © 
from being frightened, he flew out of the window, and being 
recovered after much trouble, (it was in a town,) he never 
again offered te get out. After this we had nets at the 
window, and the net being one day left down in my room, 
by running up to my mother and then into my room he 
attracted her notice, and she followed him, he standing before 
the window, and when the net was replaced shewing himself 
