Partridges

Dick Potts is a world-acknowledged expert on the Grey Partridge and, here, he has produced a wide-ranging summary and review of the biology of this and other partridge species across the world. The book is clearly written and well-illustrated. Familiar ‘stories’ about Grey Partridge ecology are juxtaposed with related evidence for less-studied species, like Daurian Partridge. The book really does start at the beginning, covering the evolutionary and biogeographical origins of partridges as steppe birds that have secondarily become adapted to agriculture, latterly being subject to many deliberate introductions and management for shooting. Potts presents partridges as a ‘countryside barometer’ and summarises the evidence supporting such a role, namely their well-established dependence on various features of extensive farming and components of what might be considered a rich ecosystem, such as high invertebrate numbers and winter seed availability. However, direct human management and large-scale releases would seem to limit their value in this context, while the extent to which partridges are good indicators for all aspects of the environment is debatable.

The book includes useful summaries of the wealth of research into effects of agriculture (including pesticides and agri-environment schemes), parasites, predators and hunting. Negative ecological effects of gamebird releases are not considered and predator control is strongly advocated, but the conclusions about the importance of top-down control by predators, although well argued, are really more an article of faith than based on hard evidence.

Partridges is a worthy addition to the New Naturalist series that should appeal to anyone interested in farmland ecology and the countryside, but some of the overall messages should be taken advisedly.         

Book reviewed by Gavin Siriwardena