A Bird's Technique
The partridges have hatched wonderfully, some very early, some rather late ; and the hope is that the broods grew so strong when the sun shone that they will be able to endure the soaking by thunderstorms that have ensued. Some curious and quite new observations on the bird, as well as some remarkable photographs, have been taken this breeding season in the charming research station set up in Hertfordshire by the I.C.I. A good many students of birds have been inquiring of late into the technique by which bird-notes are produced. The anatomy of the syrinx or song-box is not the only im- portant point. The French partridge, as an observer and his camera have recorded for the first time, is a rival of the bull-frog. When uttering the odd chuckle, associated only with the breeding season, he puffs out his neck and shoulders to such an extent that his appearance is quite altered. He might be consciously displaying form, like the ruff, as well as uttering a lyric. It is to be hoped that some account of these methods of note production in both types of partridge will presently be added to the considerable list of pamphlets issued from this partridge farm. The series contains much that is of real scientific, and indeed popular, concern.
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