CH. IX. BIRDS. 135 



number, sufficient, however, to make a beautiful 

 variety in the game of the county. 



88. Partridges, on the contrary, are very numer- 

 ous in all the southern range, where the finely- 

 cultivated fields, bordering on the young plantations, 

 offer every advantage for their breeding. I have 

 occasionally seen partridges in very wild parts of 

 Sutherland, where no bird but grouse would be 

 looked for. 



89. The Quail appears occasionally near Dun- 

 robin. This bird may be here oftener than is 

 supposed ; for, arriving when the wheat is at a 

 sufficient height to conceal it, seldom taking wing, 

 and departing before the crops are well off the 

 ground, its presence can only be known by its 

 peculiar call or whistle. 



90. The Landrail, as I have before said, is in 

 every corner of the county where it can find a patch 

 of corn. I heard it at Tongue in great numbers ; 

 also at Heilam Ferry in a small patch of oats. 

 The gamekeeper at Tongue told me that he kills 

 it frecpiently during the winter. 



From the landrail one naturally comes to that 

 class of birds which comprise the plovers, etc. 



91. The Golden Plover is very numerous in all 

 the higher districts during the breeding season. 

 Its eggs are beautifully marked and very large in 



