AND OF THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES. 



139 



We have here a Hst of thirty terrestrial mammalia. The extent of this catalor^ue must 

 needs excite surprise, for the present state of Dartmoor vroutd by no means lead to the 

 belief of its supporting more than two or three quadrupeds of the smaller kind ; and, 

 indeed, upon inquiry into fact*, we find that the barren open portions are frequented 

 only by the Rabbit, Mole, Weasel, and perhaps the Stoat. How then can this 

 reWon have maintained tho&:e large animals recorded as extirpated? There is undeni- 

 able evidence that the central department of what we ordinarily term Dartmoor was 

 in former years a forest, and that it was set apart for the kinj^'s use as a royal chase. 

 With this explanation difficulties vanish. At the present period the woods and plan- 

 tations in the immediate vicinity of the Moor harbour the same quadrupeds as those 

 found in the southern districts. The Martin and Polecat, however, are now more 

 peculiarly frequenters of the deep woods, remo e from cultivated parts. The former, 

 indeed, I have not l^nown to be captured anywhere but in the noble woods at Buck- 

 land-in-the-jMoor ; but it is reported to he also found in the woods at L.dford. I am 

 told that the Yellow species (M. Marten) is found with the other. The Otter is 

 said to confine itself to the river Dart, probably from its superior size and depth, and 

 from its being better supplied with fish. The fur of specimens from hence is said to 

 have an admixture of white hairs. The Mole is a creature by no means limited to 

 cultivated districts, as apj)ears by its occurrence on a barren hill, of very considerable 

 heijjht, in the immediate neighbourhood of the Moor. The most numerous and 

 characteristic species, however, is the Rabbit, which, as will subsequently be seen, 

 draws thither a variety of rapacious birds that otherwise would not find food in such 

 a district. 



The Ornithology of Dartmoor is in many respects interesting. The Rabbits which 

 abound there draw numerous species of rapacious birds to it. The Raven, Corvus 

 CoraXy Carrion Crow, C. Corone.y and Hooded Crow, C. Comix, likewise traverse 

 in their wanderings these wild spots. The Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus, frequents 

 many of the rocky and rapid streams, in parties, nestling, to my knowledge, in hollows 

 of the rocks. The Water Ouzel, Cinclus aqimticns, is a frequenter of similar situa- 

 tions, being a great lover of solitude ; and I am not aware that either of these birds 

 has been traced, except sparingly, beyond the barren portions of the Moor. The Tit- 

 lark, Anthvs pratensisj Stonechat, Saxicola liubicola, Whinchat, Saxicola Rubetra, 

 and Grasshopper Warbler, Sylvia LocusttHa, are fund occupying their respective 

 stations on the lieaths and stony fields; and (be Wheatear, Saxicola Q^nanthe, and 

 R.eed Warbler, Sylvia Phragmitis., are repoited to make tlieir abode within the 

 limits of the more barren parts of the district. It has been told me that Cuckoos, 

 Cuculus cunoniSi are at limes seen haunting rocky spots on the borders of Dartmoor ; 

 and this may be true enough, although it is possible that my informant may have mis- 

 taken the Nightjar, Caprivivlgus evropcevsy for it, as they are not very dissimilar in 

 appearance, and since I well know that Nightjars are found on the borders of the 

 Moor in large wooded inclosures, but particularly at Buckland-in-the-Moor, where 

 the oaks have attained a great size. From these woods they ui^ually select positions 

 in the adjoming commons or brakes for nestling. The Great Bustard, Otis Tarda, 

 which formerly frequented the Moor, has, I fear, been extirpated. In times past 

 also, no doubt, the <Jrane, Ardta Gnis, frequented Dartmoor. One was shot, in 

 1826, on the borders, and there is a hill in the heart of the Moor, having on its 

 summit a pool of great size, called Cranmere Pool, a name signifying the abode of 

 Cranes, as though these birds had been in the habit of resorting thither, as is the 

 practice of some other birds at present. The Thick-kneed Plover, (Edicnevivs crepi- 

 tanny fiequents the downs and wastes; and it would seem that they wintered with us, 

 and were driven to inclosed lands, as in severe winters they have been brought to Plv- 

 raouth market, where 1 have myself seen them, though rarely. In the summer months 

 I have seen Curlews, Nutneniits Arqitata, on the marshy grounds, where indeed they 

 breed, I ut 1 presume the numbers killed on the coast in severe winters must be de- 

 rived principally from the northern counties. It has been proved that many indivi- 

 duals of the Snipe family breed on Dartmoor, but it is only of late years that this fact 

 has been observed. The same observation applies to the Duck, Wigeon, and Teal, 

 according to report, though I can answer only for the Wild Duck, Anas Boschas, 

 which unquestionably breeds in several spots on the Moor, besides in those situations 

 in our cultivated grounds where care has been taken to protect it. The swamps of 

 the Moor are also the breeding-places of many individuals of several species of wading 

 birds found in the autumnal and winter months in our cultivated lands and shores. 

 The Lapwing, Vaitdlus cristatnsy descends in flocks in winter. I have noticed them 

 arriving in vast quantities in December yearly, on the high grounds bordering Big- 

 bury Bay. It has been found also that the Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis. 

 Grey Plover, Charadriics Hdveticus, and Dunlin, Tringa cinclus, breed with us, 

 and there is great reason to suppose that very many other similar birds do so likewise. 

 The Coot, Fulica atrOj Water Hen, Gallinula chloropus, and Water Rail, Rallus 

 aquaiicusy are well known to breed not only in the marshes of Daitmoor, but also 

 plentifully in very many swampy woods, and other secluded watery spots not far from 

 Plymouth, dispersing from these retreats as soon as the cold sets in. The Black 

 Grouse, Tetrao Tetrix, is sparingly dispersed over the moors, and in winter roams 

 with its progeny over the woods and cultivated parts of the country, being occasion- 

 ally shot, and brought to market in the severer months. 



Besides the above named birds, there are others recorded to have been observed 

 sparingly on or in the vicinity of the Moor. The Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivOTUs, 

 Sea or Cinereous Eagle, Haliaetus Albicilla, Golden Eagle, Aquita Chnjsaetosy Gos- 

 hawk, Astur palumbarius, Kite, Milvus vulgaris. Little Uwl, Strix passerina, 

 Short-eared Owl, Strix brachyotus. Nutcracker, Nucifroga Caryocatactes, Greater 

 Spotted Woodpecker, Piciis medius. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Picus minor. 

 Rose Ouzel, Turdus roseus. Wryneck, Jynx iorgiiilla, Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra. 

 Hawfinch, Coccothraustis vulgaris. Hoopoe, Vpupa Epops, Snow Bunting, Plectro- 

 phanes nivalis. Turtle Dove, Cuhnnba turtur. Quail, Cotnrnix dactylisonans. Little 

 B\xi\.axA,Otis tetrax, Great Snipe, Scolopax major. Barker, Totanus fuscus. Spotted 

 Rail, Gallinula Porzana, and Little Rail, Gallimda minuta, are some deserving 

 notice. But it is to the deep and unfrequented woods before named, as bordering the 



Moor, that we are prii.eipally indebted for these rarities ; and it cannot be altogether 

 surprising that these spots, so secluded, and so generally calculated to be the abodes 

 of the feathered tribes, should contain within them objects so precious to the natural- 

 ist. They who have read Vaillant's Travels in Africa will, I think, agree with me m 

 the remark, that the transitii,n from these woods to the sterile tracts of the Moor con- 

 tiguous, where even in summer little else can be seen save the Curlew flying from the 

 summit of one Torr to another, and by its harsh note adding to the dreariness of the 

 scene, the Stonechat, the Ring Ouzel, or perchance a Buzzard hovering aloft, is not very 

 unlike the sudden changes ex])erienced by that adventurer, ;ind which he so touchingly 

 describes; at one time surrounded by hundreds of beautiful birds, enlivening by their 

 actions and notes the thick groves ; then situated in a trackless desert, and guid«d only 

 on his way by the harsh note of a duck, flying at a groat height in quest of some rock 

 which might ba}>pi!y contain water in its basins. 



The arid and remote portions of the Moor are frequented by only a few birds, not 

 found (or but rarely and at certain limes) in the southern and cultivated districts. 

 The Eagles and birds of that kind are generally, however, paitial to remote spots, or 

 restricted to them by our interference. The Golden Eagle, if still a Devon bird, 

 must be accounted as in some measure peculiar to Dartmoor, though most of this kind 

 roam to immense distances at certain periods. The Sea Eagle, too, has been seen 

 both on Dartmoor and frequi-nting cultivated land, and has likewise been captured at 

 the Eddystone. The Goshawk, Kite, and Honey Buzzard, may be considered almost 

 confined to Dartmoor ; the latter, however, has been noticed at Slapton Ley. The 

 Short-eared Owl has been killed both on Dartmoor and Exmoor, but seems to be very 

 rare, and to confine itself to open and remote spots. The Dipper and Ring Ouzel are 

 both lovers of the Dartmoor solitudes. The Black Giousc, Little Bustard, Thick- 

 kneed Plover, and the various waders before named as most hkely breeding on the 

 moors, together with the Great Bustard and Crane (if still resident in the county), 

 must be considered in some degree peculiar to Dartmoor, though they are all con- 

 strained, on the occasion of severe weather, to seek shelter and food in the cultivated 

 parts. 



The woods bordering Dartmoor are well adapted to shelter a variety of birds of 

 the rarer kinds; but yet none that 1 know of are hmited to them, though the Turtle 

 Dove is more frequent in these sitiiations than in the southern parts, and several species 

 of the rarer Hawks are mostly obtained from thence. 



I am not aware that anything need be said relative to the amphibia of Dartmoor, 

 excepting that the Lizard, Lucerta agilis, and Viper, Coluber Birus, are both I'ound 

 pretty commonly on the doun*. and other dry situ;itions, as indeed they are throughout 

 the whole county. Nothing can be said relative to the Ichthyology, nor anything on 

 the Conchology, unless it be that Helix trochilus has been noticed close to the Moor. 

 Having but slight acquaintance with Entomology, I can only say that the lists of the 

 Dartmoor insects are very extensive. 



When we come to examine the Fauna of the central districts of South Devon, we 

 find considerable altciations in its character, besides its extent being greatly increased. 

 The diversification in the surface of the country, together with every variety of soil, 

 and vegetable produce, is no doubt one great reason of this circumstance, while 

 another cause is our being situated at the southern limits of the island, by which 

 means we are more likely than other counties to partake of the ornithology of the 

 continent, and likewise to receive a variety of birds which migrate from northern 

 counties or kingdoms. 



Rcvertinc to the mammalia, we have still a few remarks to make. The Stoat has 

 been known to assume in winter the white clothing ordinarily supposed to be pecu- 

 liar to northern latitudes, or at most to some of our northern counties, and I have my- 

 self seen a specimen particoloured. Our woods and thickets are so numerous, and 

 sometimes so Uttle frequented, that the Hedgehog, B.ulger, Fox, Hare, Squirrel, and 

 Dormouse, are all found pretty abundantly, and the Shrew, Wtasel, and various kinds 

 of mice, frequent in plenty our fields and hedges. The cream-coloured Mole is found 

 with us, but I believe only in one locality. White Rats have been captured at times 

 in rabbit-grounds, where they are known to resort for the sake of the young rabbits. 

 I am not quite sure respecting the Water Shrew, but beheve I have taken it while 

 a boy in the stagnant waters of the entrenchment round Davenport, and it is gener- 

 ally believed to be a common animal, though very shy in its nature. In the space of 

 ten years, I have not seen above three or four specimens of Polecat in this neighbour- 

 hood, though 1 have been much in the habit of inquiring on such subjects among 

 gamekeepers. On the other hand, the Stoat and Weasel are plentiful throughout the 

 county. 1 have good evidence that the Harvest Mouse is found in Cornwall ; and. 

 from reports, there is great reason to believe it is tolerably common in Devon. I 

 very lately captured the Mouse figured in Shaw's Miscellany as a rough-haired va- 

 riety of the Meadow Mouse, or Field Mole, but, in all probability, a distinct kind. 

 The Black Rat is very scarce with us, if found here at all, and I have never yet no- 

 ticed it. A white Hare was last year seen in a wood near my house during the win- 

 ter months, and, though that season was unusually severe, it is certainly difficult to 

 understand why certain individuals of this animal, and of the Stoat, should assume 

 this change, while all others of the species remain unaltered. 



In all cultivated districts abounding in wood, and productive of an extensive Flora, 

 as is the south of Devon, we necessarily meet with a great variety of birds belonging 

 to the Passerine order. In the central portions of South Devon, now under consi- 

 deration, there are but few birds besides the Passeres observed, and these, excepting 

 half a dozen species at the most, may be regarded as peculiar to their central part. 

 The Ring Ouzel and Water Ouzel may to a certain extent be considered as Dart- 

 moor birds, though some, no doubt, have been seen beyond those precinct?, and a 

 pair of Water Ouzels build yearly in a fish-house not far from my house, and very 

 close to a tlour-mill, a saw-mill, and several houses besides, being within fifty yards of 

 the main road. The Rock Lark, Anthus petroatts, is a frequenter only of the sea- 

 coast ; as is the Red-legged Crow, Fregdvs Graatlus, though I see they are both 

 marked as Dartmoor Birds in an ornithological list of that place by Dr Tucker, a 

 (rood naturalist. The Raven, Hooded-Crow, and Nutcracker, are Uliewise birds 



