506 Mr. C. Collier on the Birds 



among the young of this species. The nests are visually safe, 

 as they are so well and carefully hidden. A pair used the 

 same breeding-place for three years in succession, and they 

 invariably, if undisturbed, chose a site within a few yards of 

 the previous year's nest. 



Ring-Dove. Columba palumbus. 



Common in the woods ; about the same number breed 

 every year. A flock of from sixty to eighty remains for the 

 whole winter ; there is no increase of numbers during that 

 season. There is not enough arable ground to support many. 



Rock-Dove. Columba livia. 



Quantities inhabit the small caves on the coast. 



Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus. 



Originally imported, and in a good season does well. 

 Pheasants are extremely stupid in certain lights ; they con- 

 stantly try to settle on the sea when it is smooth, with a 

 slight swell, mistaking the shadow of the swell for a bank, 

 and consequently get drowned unless picked up by a boat. 



Partridge. Pcrdix cinerea. 



Partridges have been imported and a few have bred with us, 

 but they do not thrive, and gradually disappear. Before 

 leaving the island they wander to the high ground ; the last 

 covey was seen on the moor, six miles from its usual haunt, 

 and this was the last heard of it. 



Red Grouse. Lag opus scoticus. 



The Grouse of Raasay, which are fairly numerous, are 

 much darker in plumage than the mainland birds and of a 

 greater average weight. 



Black Grouse. Tetrao tetrix. 

 Decreasing in numbers. 



Water-Rail. Rallus aquaticus. 



Rare, with the exception of the winter of 1899, when 

 numbers were seen when we were Snipe-shooting, six being 

 shot by my friends, who did not know the bird. It never 

 remains to breed. 



