GREECE 187 



country, the latter being particularly abundant. They are met 



with almost everywhere on the mainland and the islands, their 



abundance varying according to local conditions. 



Rabbits, the rapid increase of which has elsewhere grown into 



a plague, are not over-plentiful in Greece. They are present in 



respectable force in the islands of Myconos, Lemnos, 



, . , , r A 1 1 • Rabbits 



Delos, and m the southern part of Andros, hauntmg ^^^ Hares 



generally the clusters of rocks. They are of a light 



o-rey colour, similar to the kind known as rock-rabbits. Hares. 



being eagerly sought for the market, are becoming less plentiful. 



They are more frequently met with in the islands, and principally 



in the north part of Andros ; but they are extremely wary, more 



especially in localities where flocks of sheep are pastured, shee])- 



doo-s huntino- them steadily on their own account. 



Pheasants of the black-necked variety, once plentiful, are fast 



disappearing in Greece proper. Stray instances are still recorded 



in the northern provinces, but most of those which are 



occasionally offered at poulterers' shops in Athens come Pheasants 

 •^ ^ and Rock- 



from Salonica. Not very long ago they abounded ^oves. 



near the Sperchios, and a few may still be met with 



in the Poliana Forest, in Thessaly. Rock-doves frequent the stony 



cliffs on the coast, but, owing to the disregard of all close season, 



they are being rapidly exterminated, though their flesh is not very 



toothsome. 



The partridge may be said to have always been the stock bird 

 of the country, the Perdix grcsca being so named . , 



with good reason. This is the species commonly 



