ROCK DOVE. 221 



diligently clearing the ground of small shells, such as Helix eri- 

 cetorum, a species which is found in some places in extraordinary 

 abundance. I have always found them very wary when approached 

 on these open pastures a timidity which is, no doubt, owing to 

 the frequency with which the flocks are fired at ; the Rock Dove, 

 when viewed as an article of food, being one of the most valuable 

 birds frequenting the Outer Hebrides. 



The following interesting notes on this bird were sent to me 

 many years ago, by my friend Mr Graham, who was then resident 

 in the island of lona : " The granite cliffs in the south of Mull, the 

 basaltic crags of Staffa, and lofty precipices of trap rock upon the 

 adjacent islands, are all perforated by innumerable caverns of every 

 imaginable size and shape ; from the well-known majestic hall of 

 Fingal, resounding with the sullen booming of ever-rolling waves, 

 down to the fairy little grotto whose cool white shell-sand is scarce 

 dimpled by the sparking ripples of the sheltered sea.* Some of 

 these caves are grand, and of lofty dimensions, with no floor but 

 the deep blue water which heaves to and fro through their huge 

 frowning portals; others are romantic and picturesque, their rocks 

 covered with many coloured lichens, and their dark apertures 

 fringed with shaggy heather and ivy, amongst which is browsing 

 a wild mountain goat, with huge horns and beard. But many more 

 of these caverns are horribly gloomy and forbidding deep black 

 dens extending far beyond the reach of the light of day, stretching 

 into the very bowels of the adamantine cliff; the air smells 

 dank and foul, and the walls are dripping with unwholesome 

 slime. Such caves generally have legends attached to them, 

 of fugitive clansmen hiding from the pursuit of the avenger 

 of blood, of wholesale deeds of murder, or of wild scenes of 

 diablerie; and the names of the Cave of Death, the Pit of 

 Slaughter, and the Hobgoblin's Den, are often met with, showing 

 their grim character. These haunts of bygone murderers, 

 smugglers, and outlaws, are now only tenanted by doves, the 

 emblem of innocence. They may be seen perpetually flitting in 

 and out, some parties going off to feed, others returning to rest; a 

 few birds sitting about the entrance, pluming themselves in the 



* Mr Struthers informs me that he has noticed that this bird is partial to the 

 caves on the line of raised beaches throughout the coasts of the Inner Hebrides 

 Islay, Jura, etc., where he has had many opportunities of making careful 

 observations. 



