BIRDS 
the ptarmigan in Hutton’s local museum at 
Keswick. The late Rev. H. T. Frere saw a 
bird in that same collection in 1841, which 
was most likely the one seen there in 1803. 
174. Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus, Linn. 
The pheasant is mentioned in old docu- 
ments as early as 1251, when the Sheriff of 
this county was required to supply forty 
pheasants for the use of King Henry III. ; 
but it is very doubtful whether the pheasant 
was really established as a game-bird in Cum- 
berland before the last decade of the eighteenth 
century, when birds were introduced into the 
west of the county by Lord Muncaster, and 
on to the Netherby estate by Sir James 
Graham. 
175. Partridge. Perdix cinerea, Latham. 
Locally, Patrick. 
A common resident in all suitable districts, 
and improved in vigour of late years by the 
introduction of foreign blood. I have never 
met with a really red variety in this county ; 
but, as long ago as 1887, I examined speci- 
mens of an interesting blue variety, which 
is on the increase. In 1899, I examined a 
very young nestling, which in its first dress 
was assuming the plumage of the blue variety ; 
so that it appears to be worn from earliest 
youth. 
176. Red-legged Partridge. 
(Linn.). 
Locally, Red-leg. 
Another introduced species, but one which 
has never become permanently naturalized in 
any one part of the county, though we often 
hear of odd birds being shot. It was first 
procured in our county in 1848. 
177. Quail. Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre. 
Locally, Wet-me-lip, Wet-me-feet. 
A summer visitant, but in the main a 
straggler, single males occurring in our mea- 
dow lands far more frequently than paired 
‘couples. At the beginning of the century a 
good many pairs undoubtedly nested with us ; 
but such numbers are netted on their vernal 
journey through southern Europe that few are 
left to make their way to our northern county. 
The only quail’s eggs that I have seen in any 
local collection were taken by Dr. Gabriel 
near Rockliffe. Stray birds have been killed 
in Cumberland as late as the last week of 
December. 
178. Corn-Crake or Land-Rail. 
tensis, Bechstein. 
Locally, Daker-Hen. 
A common summer visitant, formerly shot 
on its arrival in spring by those sportsmen (?) 
Caccabis rufa 
Crex pra- 
who enticed the bird within shot by repro- 
ducing its cry with a wooden comb or rattle. 
The majority of the young are hatched before 
the hay is cut, but many are killed by the 
machines. Some birds nest comparatively 
late, perhaps those which have lost their first 
eggs. In 1895, a small bird in down was 
sent to me from Head’s Nook, on August 
16th, Single individuals have been shot 
from time to time in the middle of winter. 
A pure white bird was shot near Carlisle in 
June, 1863. I added to the Carlisle Museum 
a pied specimen obtained near Carlisle in May, 
1849. 
179. Spotted Crake. 
(Leach). 
A scarce spring and autumn visitant, which 
occasionally occurs in summer and winter, 
and is known to have nested on two of our 
morasses. The only bird that Dr. Heysham 
obtained was killed near Carlisle at the be- 
ginning of June ; but its skulking habits may 
well lead to its being overlooked at that season. 
180. Little Crake. Porzana parva (Scopoli). 
A very rare visitant. An adult bird was 
captured in a ditch near Cockermouth Castle 
in 1850. It entered the possession of the 
late Mr. J. W. Harris, who allowed Mr. 
T. C. Heysham to have a drawing made of it 
in 1852, as a local rarity. Many years after- 
wards it was presented to the Carlisle Museum, 
in which it now rests. It is a fully dressed 
adult. 
181. Water-Rail. Rallus aquaticus, Linn. 
Locally, Water-Crake (o4s.). 
A winter visitant to suitable situations in all 
parts of the county ; often present upon our 
runners and beck-sides in severe weather, and 
very constant to particular spots in rushy fields. 
In a few instances birds have been known to 
remain all the summer ; and even to nest with 
us. The late Tom Duckworth procured eggs 
from Rockliffe Moss; they have also been 
taken near Penrith. 
182. Moor-Hen. Gallinula chloropus (Linn.). 
A common resident on most of our beck- 
sides, but many individuals pass through the 
county on migration. In 1894 I received a 
specimen which had killed itself by flying 
against the lantern of the East Cote Light- 
house on the night of April 20th. In June, 
1877, a specimen of the so-called ‘hairy’ 
variety was caught near Gosforth and taken 
to Dr. Parker. This bird is ‘of a light fawn 
colour all over, except the usual white mark- 
Porzana  maruetta 
205 
