102
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GAME-
BIRD (THE TINAMU) INTO ESSEX; WITH
SOME ACCOUNT OF ITS HABITS.
By J. E. HARTING, F.L.S., F.Z.S. (Member of the British Ornithologists' Union).
[Read February 25th, 1888.]
Little more than a century ago the Red-legged Partridge was
unknown in Essex; now, as every sportsman is aware, it is in many
parts of the county quite common. In or about the year 1770,1
several noble sportsmen appear to have combined in importing eggs.
from France, and hatching them out under hens on their estates in
different parts of the country.
In East Suffolk the Marquis of Hertford and Lord Rendlesham
turned out a good many at Sudbourn and Rendlesham; and Sir
Harry Fetterstonhaugh, at Uppark, Sussex, reared several coveys
from imported eggs in 1776.
In Essex the Earl of Rochford tried a similar experiment at St.
Osyth, and in 1777 coveys were met with at Colchester, which had,
doubtless, emanated from the last-named centre of introduction.2
In the interval which has since elapsed, the bird has become
thoroughly established. Some sportsmen aver that its introduction
was a mistake, that its habit of running spoils the best dogs, that its
quarrelsome disposition drives the grey partridge away, and that it is
not to be compared with the latter as a bird for the table. In this
view I cannot altogether agree. Every sportsman, of course, knows
how these birds will run on being approached, and how sorely on
this account they try the patience of men and dogs; but every
experienced partridge shooter must also admit that when, later in
the season, recourse is had to "driving," the red-legs show undeni-
ably good sport. As to their drawing the grey partridges away, L
have so frequently found them in the same field of roots, and have
so often known them to lay in each other's nests, that the alleged
antagonism of the two species cannot be so great as has been
asserted. It is probably only in the breeding season that the cock
birds are quarrelsome, driving the hens about as pheasants and
black game will do. On the whole, therefore, while recognising the
desirability of keeping down the number of these birds on the farms
1 Although the first systematic attempt to introduce the bird into England was made about this-
time, it was not actually its first appearance here, for so far back as the time of Charles II. (1660-
1683) several pairs were turned out about Windsor, but were supposed to have perished (Daniel,.
"Rural Sports," vol. iii, page 94).
2 See Essex Naturalist, vol. ii. page 39.