Rinse the cleaned partridges thoroughly inside and out, and season generously with salt, inside and out.
Melt the butter in a pot, add the finely chopped onion, and fry for a few minutes until translucent.
Add the partridges, pour in about 100 ml water, cover, and braise over low heat.
Once the water underneath has cooked away, top up only with enough water that the butter doesn't burn but the meat takes on a nice red colour - the partridge will be tender after about 40-50 minutes.
Turn occasionally so every side browns evenly.
Once the meat is tender and a lovely reddish colour, remove from the heat.
To serve, halve each partridge lengthwise, and serve with boiled rice, drizzled with the buttery-oniony juices left in the pot.
Based on: Malatinszky Fanny szakácskönyve (a classic Hungarian cookbook), modernised. Calories and protein are estimated.