27 APRIL 1929, Page 14

A QUEER ASSOCIATION.

Is the paucity of nesting sites also the cause of an unusual example of co-partnership ? One nest was found with a mixture of partridge and pheasant eggs. It will be amusing to watch the sequel. The partridge, whether male or female, is such a passionate parent, that we cannot imagine it being ousted from the office of brooding, even by a bird twice its size. Both birds, rather surprisingly, have nested early ; for the weather, with heavy ground frosts daily, has been of a sort especially to discourage the groundlings. Partridges suffered more severely than in any winter of my memory. Quite a large number were killed • outright by the snow and frost. . * *