The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-09-02
The Partridge and its Habits.

b. W.l---comuence TO build their nest
in the month Of May, little earlier or
later according to the character Of the
season. II it is very cold they willput
it off until June They seleet loca.
tion iu the open field that seems to have
little regard for safety; dryness is cyi-
IDENTIFY first caro-. A Icw blades of
grass or the roots Of a eornstalk act as
shelter, and are generally sufficient TO
divert observation. Tho entrance 10
the nest is on one side aud considering
how simple are the materials of which
il is constructed, it is most comforta-
bic and serviceble house. The female
lays from sixteen to twenty white eggs;
in some instances more have been found.
They are sharp, at the small end, aud
so nicely arranged in the bottom Of the
uest that If even one Is disturbed il
never can be exactly replaced by human
ingenuity. The male bird assists in
the incubation, which is perfected in
three weeks; feeds the female while on
her nest; aud always remaips in the vi.
cinity cheering his mate by his loving
repetition of bob Whitcl'
The bird is determined setter du-
ring the Matching, and has been actually
stepped upon before she would show
any evidence of alarm. An instance
has occurred when the female bird had
her head cut off by mowers scythe.
On one occasion some laborers came to
a nest containing dozen eggs, the pa
rent bird crouching at little distance
close to the ground. The proprietor Of
the field, wishing to keep the nest from
harm, placed the leafy branch of a tree
over it for protection and shelter. Very
soon the parent birds returned TO the
nest, and although the gentleman and
members of his family went frequently
to look at the birds, they sat out theil
time. For three successive years nesi
was made in the same locality.
| A most remarkable instance Of Bol
Whites inseusibity to fear, while en-
gagged in Matching, is related by frient
Of ours as the result Of his own expe
rience. He informs us that when boy
while residing on his fathers farm il
Maryland, nest was discovered in on,
corner Of small inclosure, which con
tanned the kennels Of a pointer an,
setter dog. II is especially curious tina
the dogs took no notice Of the birds
The intelligent creatures acted as j
entirely unconscious of each other
presence. Under these seemingly ad
verse circumstances the brood wa
hatched and carried safely into the pre-
lection of a neighboring wood.
The notes Of the male bird are 8
modified in expression that he will q
one time pour them out in song 0
praise, aud then again--most frequent
ly indeed--in encouraging notes to hi
mate near by. The female bird, in at
dition to "Bob White" which she utter
in suppressed manner, has two NOR
notes at her command most soft anl
winning sounds, like "chi.che," wllicl
involuntarily well up from her throa
when sitting upon her nest, and fnall
became constant expression Of geatl
reproof and encouragement to her nt
merous charge. IL is with the varie
expressions Of these two simple sound
that tho mother bird win draw be
brood under her wings; win huddle thel
together in a Kidding place, there I
remain while she seeksfood for hersel
or will scatter them far and wide /
avoid lowering bird of prey, or th
insidious approaches Of the trained dc
precursor Of the gun---to be gathere
together again when danger has passe
by one family breathed expression
"Bob fhiie I"
With this ''chi che the mother al,
teachers her yoaug TO move without di
turbipg spear Of grass; TO creep alon
as stoalthily as a shadow; TO hide,
necessary, beneath bit of stone or d
caycd wood; mingle, and almost LITERAL
mix, with the neutral tints of the groau
and vegetation; to be, indeed, moment
ties in body aud color until il IL poss
BILE to sesure the safety of her on
stretched wings, where they will ha,
their chilled bodies warmed BY h,
maternal breast, and their pcrtprbt
minds quieted by her whispcriugs
safety and love. When covey
about to take fight, the birds make
low twittcring sound, not unlike that
young chickens; and when a coyey
dispersed, the birds come together aga
by frequently repeating note expire
sive of tenderness and anxiety.
September tho young arc nearly grow,
and at this time tho notes of the ma
bird are most frequent, clear, aud lou
IL is no unusual thing for school-bo,
accustomed to the sound to initiate Il
"call' SO as TO deceive the bird itself.
Hnpcr's MagaziBe for September.