APPENDIX. BIRDS. 407 



COLUMBA LIVIA [Rock Dove]. 



A few pairs breed iu the caverns along our coast. It is a rare case, 

 however, to get a pure specimen ; as domestic pigeons from the 

 farms near, sometimes breed with them. I have seen white 

 specimens, as well as those of a sand colour. 



COLUMBA TURTUR [Turtle Dove]. 



Three or four specimens of this species are said to have been seen, 

 and some of them obtained, within the county ; but whether wild 

 ones, or individuals that had escaped, has not been ascertained. 



PHASIANTTS COLCHICUS [Pheasant]. 



Introduced, but seems to thrive very well ; it is a beautiful orna- - 

 inent to parks and woods. Partially pied varieties sometimes 

 occur, and another called the "silver pheasant." 



TETRAO TETRIX [Black Grouse]. 



Exists chiefly in the higher districts. 



TETRAO SCOTICUS [Red Grouse]. 



Exists on all our moors and hills, but not in great numbers. 



TETRAO LAGOPUS [Ptarmigan]. 



Less frequent than either of the two last. Ptarmigans inhabit 

 the summits of our highest mountains ; they are seldomer seen 

 than those which frequent the lower ground. Like all others 

 of the grouse tribe, they are yearly decreasing in number. 



PERDIX CINEREA [Partridge]. 



Pretty common. A very cunning and faithful mother is the 

 female ; for when she has eggs she never goes out, if time per- 

 mits, without hiding them so carefully that it is almost impos- 

 sible to detect their whereabouts ; and if you take her by sur- 

 prise, away she hobbles on one leg^ and a wing trailing on the 

 ground as if wounded. (See p. 254.) 



PERDIX RUFA [The Red-legged Partridge]. 



Commonly called the French Partridge ; it has been recently found 

 in Banif. 



PERDIX COTURNIX [Quail]. 



That this species is a regular visitor I am not prepared to say ; 

 but that it is an occasional visitor and breeds here is beyond 

 all doubt. Nests and eggs of this species are sometimes met 

 with in cutting grass ; they are generally passed over as those of 

 the landrail. 



CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS [Golden Plover]. 



Where moorfowl occur, the golden plover is generally to be met 

 with. When the hills, heaths, and fields are covered with snow, 

 the plover comes down from his alpine abode, and stays at the 

 sea-side, where great numbers fall an easy prey to the gun of 

 the sea-side fowler. 



CHARADRIUS MORINELLUS [Dotterel]. 



Occasionally met with. On once asking an old keeper from the 



