The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-04-16
BY AGRICOLA.

1t is, l dare say, unknown to many that
this much esteemed tand huntedl bird is Of
a very large family or genus. In fact, his
genus is scattered all over the world: known
by different names in different Countries
The true partridge OF perdicidm has no
representative in this State,-in fact, not
in all America consequently, a great con-
fusion exists in the application of the name
partridge. The spruce partridge is the
Canada grouse, TetJWo Canadensis the
partridge of the Eastern States is the ruffed
grouse, fBonasa Um5eL1us); our own bird.
which is commonly called partridge, is the
quail, (Ortyr TirgiHianusl; several other
quail are called partridge.
The typical partridge belongs to the genus
Perdir, and has a short bill, broad at the
base, curved and vaulted at the apex, and
of brownish tinse wings moderate and
rounded, third, fourth and fifth quilts long
est tail short and nearly covered by the
covcrts tees long and slender and though
the plumage has no gorgeous tints. its
pretty, plain appearance gives it the right
to rank among a collection of natural Oh
this bird has no representative in this .coun-
try, therefore. further remark would prove
of no material interest to the general reader.
But returning to our own bird awakens
the olden interest anew. By describing the
general appearance and habits Of the little
winged quaker, that has made many an
amateur sportsman return to his city home,
quite chagrined to think how little he knew
of shooting on the wing | suppose we
can all call to mind the first time we ven
tured into the woods and field, with dog
and gun, fully intending to bring home il
fine brace of plump cartridges to grace our
festal board for had We not read the night
before, that a neishber had just returned
from two days cunning expedition, bring
ing home 80 brace? All. don't we remem-
Der how we tramped over stones, through
briers, up hills, forded streams, and last.
but not the most pleasant, got no birds =
Not that we did not see them: oh, no for
we saw covey after covey of them, but as
the old man said "The pesky things made
such a w-h-i-r, that it was enough to take
any ones thoughts from the gun" We
would see our dogs set fine covey, and
sneaking upas cautiously as we could, until
we were near enough, we fully expected to
feather our BIRDS but just at that mo-
ment, up jumps the dog, and before we can
gather our scattered Senses w-h-i-r, w-h--r.
go ''our birds to fall, not dead, as we
expected, but on their dainty feet far
among the briers and brambles, without
the reach of gun, or scent Of dog.
Now, with due apology for our digres-
sions, we will examine our little tormentor
infinitely, to find out its general appear
ance, then drop away to some sequestered
spot, and, while he is whistling his merry
"ah bob-white,' we will see what his
habits are, what he eats, and how he be-
HAYES generally.
| suppose it would be best to begin at
the head, and by gradual gradatiens, pro
coed to the feet, where, being near the
ground, we will drop off to other observa-
tons. The bill is short, high and arched,
like his European namesake; has also two
teeth on either side of the lower mandibe
which are concealed when the mouth is
closed the wings are moderate in size
concave, and rounded, with the very build
for strength and agility of motion and in
fact they should be to enable them to make
such long flights, and so quickly as they
are sometimes obliged to. In the genus
Oryr, the head is without crest; in the
wings the third, fourth, fifth and sixth
quilts ave longer than the rest, and measure
about fifteen inches from tip to tip, while
they only measure ten inches from beak to
tip of tail. The general color is brownish
red, especially on the wing coverts, tinged
with gray and notified with dusky. on the
upper back chin, throat, forehead, and
line through the eyes and along the sides
of the neck, white black band across the
top of the head, extending backwards upon
the sides. and from the bill below the eyes,
crossing on the lower part Of the throat !:
below Wnilc, lhSe"' dh'eilolil9, "ill
brown. each feather tinged with black the
female has not the black marks. and the
white marks on the head are replaced by Il
brownish yellow TIT in both male and
female the tarsi is slender generally shorter
than the middle toe, usually covered with
divided scales toes long, with middle one
the shortest and the claws curved and
acute.
Now, since VIC find 1t SO plain in plumage,
let us see if its habits are III keeping with
its apprenticeship other words, examine
into its habits They generally lay from II
to 20 small white eggs, very much resent