1 68 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



ON THE FORMER ABUNDANCE OF THE QUAIL 

 {COTURNIX COMMUNIS, Bonnaterre) IN 

 WIGTOWNSHIRE. 



By Peter Adair. 



It may be stated, without fear of contradiction, that this 

 fine little game-bird, which in the early experience of many 

 sportsmen and ornithologists was fairly common in certain 

 localities in Scotland, has now almost disappeared. In fact, 

 in many of its former haunts it has been a stranger for 

 years. 



In view of this, it has occurred to me that the result of 

 observations made, and of information obtained, in a district 

 which was once a favourite haunt of the bird might be of 

 interest. I refer to the Upper or Rhins district of Wigtown- 

 shire, being that part of the county to the south and west 

 of the Water of Luce, and in particular to the parishes of 

 Inch, Stoneykirk, Kirkmaiden, Leswalt, and Kirkcolm. 

 These parishes form almost a peninsula, watered on the 

 east by the Bay of Luce, on the south and west by the 

 Irish Channel, and on the north partly by Lochryan. 

 The soil varies, but it is chiefly sandy or gravelly. Situated 

 as the district is, the climate is mild, and snow seldom lies, 

 except in severe and protracted storms. The principal 

 crops are oats and turnips. Game of all kinds is abundant. 



It may not be out of place to make a few remarks on 

 the haunts and habits of the bird in the district when it 

 was common. It was not diffused generally ; but confined 

 to certain farms, and even to favourite fields on these farms, 

 choosing dry, well-cultivated, sandy, or sharp gravelly soil. 

 In spring the call-note sounded from the fields of rye-grass 

 or of oats. In early autumn the birds frequented stubble, 

 often close to some sheltering fence. In late autumn and 

 winter they were found principally among the turnips, 

 particularly in those parts of the fields interspersed with 

 patches of chickweed. At all seasons they lay close — so 

 close indeed that in autumn I have more than once seen 

 birds caught by dogs. When a bevy of young birds was 



