NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 65 



Ptarmigan, — Lagopus mutus, Leach. A few are to be found on 

 some of the highest mountains, such as Ben Lawers, Ben More, 

 Schiehallion, Szc. 



Bed Grouse. — Lagopus scoticus (Latham). The commonest bird 

 in the district. 



Capercailzie. — Tetrao urogallus, Linnaeus. More numerous here, 

 perhaps, than in any other part of Scotland. Since their reintro- 

 duction into this country by the late Marquis of Breadalbane, they 

 have increased rapidly, and are now spreading all over Scotland. 

 They do a good deal of damage to the trees, and are said to drive 

 out blackgame and pheasants. 



Black Grouse. — Tetrao tetrix, Linnaeus. Common, especially 

 on the birch-clad hills above Taymouth, in Strath Tay. 



Pheasant. — Phasianus colchicus, Linnaeus. In 1793* the 

 Pheasant was a common bird at Dunkeld, having been introduced 

 by the Athole family, but in 17981 they were dying out again after 

 repeated attempts to rear them had been made. Now, however, 

 they seem to do well at all the large places, such as Castle Menzies, 

 Taymouth, Murthly, &c. 



Partridge. — Perdix cinerea (Charleton). Very common on the 

 low grounds. 



Quail. — Coturnix communis (Bonnaterre). One has been shot by 

 Mr. Dewar on Loch Tay side. 



GEALLATOBES. 



Heron, — Ardea cinerea, Linnaeus. Common. Breeds at Blair 

 Athole, where there is a heronry. YarrellJ mentions, on the 

 authority of Sir David Lindsay, that Cranes formed part of the bill 

 of fare at a grand hunting entertainment given by the Earl of 

 Athole to James V. of Scotland and the Queen mother, on the 

 banks of the Loghaine, in Glen Tilt, There is little doubt that 

 Herons are meant here. 



Curlew. — Numenius arquata (Linnaeus). Very abundant every- 

 where. 



Greenshank. — Totanus glottis (Pallas). Rare. Col. Drummond 

 Hay says: " Mr. Carrington showed me an unblown egg of this 

 species which he had recently found on one of the moors in the 

 north-west of Perthshire, where he saw the old birds breeding." 



* Old Stat. Acct. Scot., Vol. IX. t Old Stat. Acct. Scot., Vol. XX., p. 439. 

 jYarrell, Vol. II., p. 531. 



VOL. IV. E 



