tell it at once by its dark brown coloration, and long, pointed 

 tail. It gets its living mostly by robbing other gulls, chasing 

 them till they disgorge their latest meal, which is seized in 

 mid-air as it falls seaward ! 



Finally, a word or two about the " game-birds." These 

 are all birds easily distinguished by reason of their short, 

 rounded, deeply convex wings, which, driven with incredible 

 speed, produce a " whirring " sound — ^very pleasant to the 

 ears of the sportsman. The flight is never continued very 

 far. The EngUsh partridge may be distinguished by the 

 horse-shoe mark on the breast : the French partridge by the 

 beautiful pearl-grey colour of the flanks, relieved by short 

 bars of black, and chestnut-red, and red legs and beak. It 

 is also known, indeed, as the " red-legged " partridge. The 

 pheasant is a far larger bird, with a long^ pointed tail. The 

 grouse is confined to moors. His heavy build and red colora- 

 tion distinguish him at once. The black-cock is a stiU larger 

 bird ; the male with a wonderful metallic, steel-blue plumage 

 and lyrate tail. His mate — ^the " grey hen " — ^is chestnut- 

 brown, barred with black. The capercailzie is the largest of 

 all, almost rivalling a turkey. His size alone sufi&ces to 

 distinguish him. Moreover, only a very few can enjoy the 

 pleasure of gazing at him, for he confines himself to the 

 coniferous woods of Scotland. 



"3 



