VOL. VI.] SIBBALD'S PRODROMUS. 41 



The bird Lagopus, according to Aldrovandus the White 

 Partridge of Savoy or Francolin of the ItaHans ; with 

 us, the Ptarmigan. The flesh is of marvellous flavour 

 and good nourishment. 



There is another Lagopus of Pliny, similar to the Attagen 

 of Aldrovandus, or the Francolin of the Italians, if it 

 be not exactly the same. The Moor-cock, among our 

 country folk the moor-fowl [the Grouse]. The flesh 

 is extremely tender, especially that of the young birds, 

 and very nourishing. 

 The kind of fov.i lacking the hinder toe : — 



Otis, the slow bird of Aldrovandus. This seems to be 

 that which is called Gustard by our wiiters [the Great 

 Bustard]. In size it is fully equal to a turkey. It is 

 said to frequent Merse and I was recentlj^ informed that 

 one had been seen in East Lothian not long since. 



Hector Boethius says that the Gustard, as he calls it, is 

 not unlike the Partridge in plumage and flesh, but in 

 size of body it exceeds the swan. 

 Birds which dust and wash themselves : — 



Columba Domestica, or Vulgaris, the Common Pigeon or 

 Dove. This Pigeon either has bare feet and is of 

 greater or less size, or has feathered feet, being of the 

 larger size, and crested of the lesser size ; or it is the 

 trembling pigeon. 



The wild Pigeons found amongst us are as follows : — 

 Turtur [the Turtle-Do ve].* 

 Palumbus torquatus, the Ring Dove. 

 Oenas or Vinago, the Stock Dove or Wood Pigeonf [the 



true Wood-Pigeon is mentioned above as Palumbus 



torquatus]. 

 Columba Rupicola [the Rock-Dove]. 



The Thrush Family. 



Under this title are included both Blackbirds and Starlings. 

 These birds have this much in common, as regards size they 

 come between the Pigeons and Larks, their beak is of medium 

 length and thickness, bent slightly doAvn wards, the mouth 

 within is yellow — the tail long. The food consists of berries 

 and various insects, and they are Song Birds. The following 

 are found with us : — 



Turdus Viscivorus, the Shreitch [the Mistle-Thrush]. 



* An uncommon visitor to Scotland. 



■f Formerly very rare in Scotland, now increasing in numbers. 



