CH. XXXIV. PARTRIDGES MIGRATORY. 217 



the cold snow apparently in full enjoyment of life 

 and health. In this county of Moray the difference 

 of climate between the hillside and the flat lands 

 near the salt-water bays is very great — greater, 

 indeed, than would be supposed. Long after every 

 trace of snow has disappeared from the fields near 

 the Bay of Findhorn, the country four or five miles 

 to the southward, inland, is still deeply covered 

 with it. The large fir plantations certainly create 

 a mildness in the air which melts the snow in 

 their immediate vicinity ; but beyond the extent 

 of their influence the ground becomes colder and 

 colder, and the snow deeper and deeper, every mile 

 that we recede from the sea. 



In October the summits of the higher mountains 

 are generally clothed in snow, and frequently hills 

 of a very moderate height are partially covered 

 with it. As soon as this occurs, a great many 

 partridges, black-game, and wild-fowl of all de- 

 scriptions migrate to their winter quarters. 



Partridges are far more migratory in their habits 

 than is generally supposed. Every winter several 

 large unbroken coveys betake themselves on the 

 first approach of storm and cold to the quiet and 

 warm fields in the lower part of the country ; and, 

 when spring returns, pairs of partridges appear here 

 and there, on every little patch of cultivated ground 



