254 IVIr. W. Thompson un the Blrdu of Ireland. 



XXXI.— TAe Birds of Ireland. By Wm. Thompson, Esq., 



Pres. Nat. Hist. Society, Belfast. 



[Continued from p. 38.] 



The Partridge — Perdix cinerea, Briss. — is common in 

 suitable localities throughout Ireland*, but may be set down 

 in general terms as less plentiful than in England, and the 

 more southern portion of Scotland. This, however, is not 

 owing to any natural causes, but to the superior cultivation 

 of the land, and greater care bestowed upon the preservation 

 of the species in Great Britain. 



Where partridges are rigidly protected in Ireland, as on the estate 

 of the late Earl O'Neil, I have on two or three occasions, when 

 riding in the autumnal evenings after sunset between Randalstown 

 and Toome, in the county of Antrim, heard their shrill, but most 

 pleasing calls constantly uttered, and have seen a covey in almost 

 every little field. On looking to the food contained in a few par- 

 tridges, shot in diiferent localities in the early spring, it was found 

 to be chiefly grass, and occasionally other green vegetable matter ; 

 in one instance the tender leaves of a thistle, and a few seeds. A 

 sportsman informs me that he has often found " clocks" (coleopte- 

 rous insects) in those killed in the mountains : — the partridge not 

 uncommonly frequents mountain- heaths contiguous to cultivated 

 ground. 



There is a singular difference in habit between the partridge of 

 the north of Ireland and that of the opposite portion of Scotland, 

 as is well known to sportsmen who have shot in the different 

 countries, and which I have myself remarked with some interest. 

 An Irish covey generally springs without uttering a call, but the 

 Scotch covey shrieks with all its might when sprung. The Scotch 

 birds too, even where very little molested, more knowingly take care 

 of themselves than the Irish : their watchfulness is extraordinary. 

 Their sense of hearing, as well as of sight, must be remarkably 

 acute. I recollect that on one day in the month of October, an ex- 

 perienced sportsman and myself sprung either twenty-four or twenty- 

 six covies (nearly all double, or containing about two dozen of birds,) 

 in the neighbourhood of Ballantrae, when they one and all not only 

 forbade a near approach, but, though we advanced as silently as pos- 

 sible, never let us into the same field with them. 



The Quail — Perdix Coturnix, Lath. — is a common spe- 

 cies in summer throughout the cultivated districts ; and great 

 numbers winter in the island. Montagu, writing in 1802, 



• Lieut. Reynolds, R.N., of the Coast Guard Service, an ardent sports- 

 man, who was stationed at Achil in 1834, when Mr. R. Ball and I visited 

 the island, stated that neither partridges nor quails were at that time found 

 there. As the island is chiefly covered with heath, grouse might be sup- 

 posed to be common ; but tliey were said to be scarce, on account of tiie 

 number both of " four-footed and winged vermin." 



