382 Zoology. 



skinned, and properly cooked, it is as fine eating as any wood- 

 cock (.Scolopax rusticola) which ever crossed the German 

 Ocean from Scandinavia : and although the hon vivant may 

 turn up his nose at such fare, let the unprejudiced judge 

 through the medium of their own senses, and they will be led 

 to think as highly of this bird as the poor cottager on Can- 

 nock Chase did of moles : who used to observe of moles, that, 

 if the gentlefolk knew how good moles were to eat, very few, 

 indeed, would fall to his share. 1 have observed water-hens, 

 in one or two places, in a state of half domestication, where 

 they have been kept quiet and undisturbed. 



Domesticating and promoti7ig the Propagation of various 

 Birds, and of Hares. — It is much to be regretted that some 

 fine specimens of the gallinaceous tribe are suffered yet to fly 

 wild in this country, and in danger of annihilation, without 

 any attempt to domesticate them. The bustard (O'tis tarda 

 X.), and the capercalzie (Urogallus vulgaris Fleming) may be 

 considered nearly extinct, except a few of the latter in Scot- 

 land ; and, if the waste lands were enclosed, the black cock or 

 grouse (Tetrao Jetrix L.) would (except, also, in Scotland) 

 soon become extinct. I have a fine living specimen of this 

 last bird ; but have always been unfortunate in my attempts 

 at domestication, as I have frequently had healthy specimens 

 of both sexes, but never a cock and hen at one time. In the 

 spring, the male struts and gobbles, much like a turkey-cock, 

 with fluttering wing and spreading tail, and with the scarlet 

 patches over the eyes flaming with desire ; and, doubtless, at 

 this season he will pair with a hen bird when one can be ob- 

 tained. I have had but little opportunity of observing the 

 red grouse or moorfowl [Z>ag5pus scoticus Latham'], as I 

 never possessed but one living specimen, which was a wild 

 bird, slightly tipped on one wing, and which fed principally 

 on the seeds and small leaves of heath or ling (Calluna vul- 

 garis) ; or, practically speaking, I purchased new-made be- 

 soms for his food. He, however, died ; but from what cause 

 I could not ascertain, as he was in good condition. Pro- 

 vidence seems to have placed certain barriers to the domesti- 

 cation of some animals, or rather to their propagation in a state 

 of domestication. I have never heard an instance of the hare 

 (Z/epus timidus) breeding in a domestic state, although I 

 have seen them very tame and familiar. Query : How small 

 a space of enclosed ground would the hare breed in, suppose 

 it to be walled or paled round, and kept secure from vermin, 

 &c. ? Would she breed in the space of half an acre, or an 

 acre ; or what moderately small space would be sufficient ? 



The Ring Dove, or wood pigeon (Columba Palumbus L.\ 



