XXXll NORTH DEVOX. 



of Somerset, flows into the sea at Budleigh Salterton. The marshes 

 near the mouth of this little river were formerly famous for the 

 great quantity of Wild-fowl which frequented them, attracted by 

 the warm springs of Tidwell that always remained unfrozen in 

 severe weather. A Glossy Ibis was shot here in September 1866. 



At Bicton, the seat of the Rolle family, not far from Budleigh, 

 is an artificial sheet of water, at one time stocked with large 

 numbers of Egyptian Geese, Black Swans, and Ducks of various 

 species, few of which are now left. 



Ladram Bay, between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth, is a 

 great breeding-place for Herring-Gulls and Cormorants. 



The white clifl's at Beer, Avhere freestone has been so extensively 

 quarried for many centuries, afford a home for large numbers of 

 Pigeons, but of what species is uncertain, though it is probable 

 they are derived from the domestic " Blue Bock.^' They breed 

 in the extensive galleries which have been worked in the soft 

 white stone. 



Further east, near the borders of Devon and Dorset, are the 

 wonderful landslips of Bindon and Dowlands. Here are found 

 Stock-Doves breeding, and unusual numbers of Green Wood- 

 peckers. In autumn large flights of Woodcocks arrive on moon- 

 light nights, but do not remain long. 



Inland on the high ground between Axminster and Lyme Regis 

 Blackgame used to be found plentifully, and some are still left 

 on the Blackdown Hills. 



IV. NORTH DEVON. 



The political boundaries of this district are quite arbitrary. It 

 may be considered more naturally as comprising the basins of the 

 Taw and Torridge. As thus restricted it occupies about a third of 

 the total area of the county, and may be roughly defined by the 

 following boundaries : — On the west the high land bordering the 

 valley of the Tamar, and forming the natural water-shed between 

 streams flowing south to the English Channel and those emjitying 

 themselves into the Bristol Channel. On the south-west and 

 south, Dartmoor; on the south-east and east the "water-shed 

 separating the sources of the Teign and the Creedy from those 

 of the North-Devon Rivers, from Cosdon Beacon by Spreyton, 



