CH. IX. BIRDS. 135 



sufficient, however, to make a beautiful variety in 

 the game of the county, 



88. Partridges^ on the contrary, are very nume- 

 rous in all the southern range, where the finely- 

 cultivated fields, bordering on the young plantations, 

 offer every advantage for their breeding. I have 

 occasionally seen partridges in very wild parts of 

 Sutherland, where no bird but gi'ouse would be 

 looked for. 



89. The Quail appears occasionally near Dun- 

 robin. This bird may be here oftener than is sup- 

 posed ; for, arriving when the wheat is at a sufficient 

 height to conceal it, seldom taking wing, and de- 

 parting before the crops are well off the ground, 

 its presence can only be known by its peculiar call 

 or whistle. 



90. The Landrail^ as I have before said, is in 

 every corner of the county where it can find a patch 

 of corn. I heard it at Tongue in great numbers ; 

 also at Heilam Ferry in a small patch of oats. 

 The gamekeeper at Tongue told me that he kills it 

 frequently during the winter. 



From the landrail one naturally comes to that 

 class of birds which comprise the plovers, &c. 



91. The Golden Plover is very numerous in all 

 the higher districts during the breeding season. 

 Its eggs are beautifully marked and very large in 



