Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 17:11

11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not : so he that getteth riches, and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his dayes g, and at his end dye a fool .

It is no wonder if we cannot be certain as to the sense of these words so far as they concern natural History, when we are not certain what bird it is to which it doth relate, we translate it Partridge. Others will have it the Cuckow; but certain it is that it is the same word which we translate Partridge, 1 Sam. 26.20. and Cuckows use not to be much hunted after. How the Partridge is said to sit on Eggs and hatch them not, is yet a greater question. It may be occasioned so many wayes, viz. either sitting upon Wind-eggs, or being killed before the Eggs are hatched, or having its Eggs destroyed by the male Partridge or by some Dog, or other Vermine. Or its nest being found having her Eggs taken from her, that it is hard to determine which the Prophet means, of all other I lest approve of that which Hierome makes the sense, though the thing be true, (if we may believe Cassiodorus, and several natural Historians, Aldrovandus, &c) That Patriches have such a love and desire to hatch young ones, that having lost their own Eggs, they will steal the Eggs of other Partriches and hatch them, which Birds being hatched the young ones knowing the cry of their proper damms, hearing them call, leave the Partrich that hatched them, (which is one thing quoted by A[illegible: 1 letter]d[illegible: 1 letter]ovandus to shew the sagacity of that Bird) but if this were the sense the words would be as the Partridge setteth on Eggs, and hatcheth them, but injoyeth them not, whereas they are, hatcheth them not; that is having lost them either by some man that hath taken them from her, or by some Vermine or wild Beast.

So he that getteth an estate by oppression or any cousenage or unrighteous actions, shall lose it again, before he cometh to dye, and when he comes to dye, shall understand what a fool he was to take so much pains to no more purpose.

Marginal references: Or, gathereth young, which she hath not brought forth.; Psal. 55.23.