GYRANTES. COLUMBAD^. 



a dense and tangled coppice near Content, I have 

 been startled by the loud whirring of one of these 

 birds, and at the same instant its short, thick-set 

 form has shot across on rapid wing, conspicuous 

 for a moment from its bright rufous plumage, but 

 instantly lost in the surrounding bushes. When 

 on the ground it is wary and difficult of approach ; 

 but if it takes a tree, it seems less fearful, and 

 will allow the aim of the sportsman. It is in the 

 dry season, and particularly during the parching 

 norths that prevail at intervals from November to 

 March, that the Partridge, as well as one or two 

 other species of Dove, is numerous in the lowland 

 woods. In the summer it is much less frequently 

 seen and then only in the deep woods. 



In some districts it is very abundant, though Dr. 

 Chamberlaine intimates that it has become scarce 

 in the neighbourhood of Kingston. He mentions, 

 as localities in which it may still be found, " the 

 pastures beneath the Ferry-hills, and other cool and 

 retired retreats in the parishes of St. Catherine's, 

 St. John's, St. Ann's, &c." To these I can add 

 from my own observation, that it is common about 

 Auld Ayr and Shrewsbury woods, and abundant at 

 Content, the Cotta-wood, and Vinegar Hill, in St 

 Elizabeth's and Westmoreland. In the last named 

 locality, a lad caught twenty or more, in springes, 

 during two or three days, in February. It is readily 

 kept in a cage with other Doves, and fed with 

 maize. 



In the Short Cut of Paradise, where the sweet- 

 wood abounds, the Partridge is also numerous ; in 



