THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHIRE. 117 



Writing in November, 1848, Dr. Morris states that 

 the Black Grouse " breeds regularly, but in very 

 limited numbers, on the high ground between 

 Axmouth, Devon, and Lyme Regis in Dorset" 

 (Zool. 1849. p. 2852). Mr. Mitchell writes in 1890, 

 that a few Black Grrouse " are to be found on 

 Dartmoor ; on Exmoor they are comparatively 

 plentiful, owing to game-preserving." Stragglers 

 sometimes wander from the high moors to the low 

 grounds. Mr. H. Nicholls has sent me word of 

 three specimens, killed on Chantry Parm, Kings- 

 bridge, in 1867. Mr. Heath of Exeter tells me 

 that a few of these birds are seen annually at 

 Hemyock, near Wellington, on the borders of 

 Somerset, probably, stray birds from Exmoor. 



Family Phasianid^. 

 PHEASANT. — Phasiamis colchicus, Linn. 



A RESIDENT species, abundant in such well known 

 coverts as those of Killer ton, Haldon, Escot, 

 Powderham and other large estates. 'Pheasants,' 

 says Polwhele, " were, some years since almost 

 annihilated in Devon ; but the breed is again (1797) 

 beginning to increase from the attention of some 

 gentlemen, who are endeavouring to preserv^e them." 

 The Rev. W. S. Hore records male and female 

 hybrids between the Pheasant and Blackgame, 

 obtained in the county. Mr. Whitaker's sale of 

 duplicates at Steven's Rooms, London, May 22nd, 



