CH. XXXIV. PARTRIDGES MIGRATORY. 217 



cold snow apparently in full enjoyment of life and 

 health. In this county of Moray the difference of 

 chmate between the hill-side and the flat lands 

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

 deed, 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 descriptions 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 on 



