220 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



Messrs R. J. Shearer and H. Osborne, whose observations of late 

 years have contributed some valuable information regarding the 

 birds of that county. 



This species has also occurred once in Orkney a specimen 

 having been shot at Deerness on 12th October, 1861, as I have 

 been obligingly informed by Mr W. Reid, of Pulteneytown, Wick, 

 who had an opportunity of seeing the bird. 



THE ROCK DOVE. 



COLUMBA LI VI A. 

 Caluman fiadhaich. 



THE gentle yet timid Rock Dove is a very abundant species over 

 the whole of the coast line of the West of Scotland, and is nowhere 

 more common than in both groups of islands whose rocky shores 

 are pierced by numerous caverns, many of which are seldom or 

 never visited by man. It is likewise found in the gloomy caves of 

 the Haskar rocks, where large flocks are yearly accumulating. 

 These flocks come daily to the Long Island to feed, and may be 

 seen on the flat cultivated lands of Benbecula, North and South 

 Uist, and Barra. It is probable that the St. Kilda birds also make 

 daily flights to distant places in search of a living, as the scanty 

 subsistence to be found on that desert isle could hardly support 

 them. In these outlying districts parti-coloured birds are almost 

 never observed; but on the mainland, especially in the neighbour- 

 hood of cultivated lands and farm houses, the breed is not so pure. 

 I have observed the same fact to prevail at the haunts of the Rock 

 Dove in the east of Scotland, where the bird appears to be even 

 less decided in its markings, although equally wild in its habits. 

 This circumstance is greatly in favour of the opinion that our 

 domestic pigeons, especially those unfed birds living in large 

 dove-cots, have sprung from the Rock Dove. All the caves of 

 Ayrshire and Berwickshire appear to be frequented by a mixed 

 breed; and even in Argyleshire, and some of the wilder parts of 

 the coast, extending as far as the mainland opposite Skye, the 

 usual pigeon haunts are similarly occupied. 



On the moist pastures of the western side of the Long Island, 

 especially on South Uist and Benbecula, I have often observed 

 large flocks alighting in the centre of a field or common, and 



