512 Birds. 



acorns were taken from the stomach of one bird. When the snow is 

 deep and the frost severe, they attack and often destroy the kail in the 

 different gardens throughout the rural parts of the country ; this is 

 almost the only vegetable then accessible. 



Rock dove, C. Lima. Occasionally found in its wild state, as at 

 the rocks of Covesea. 



Black grouse, " Black cock," Tetrao Telrix. By no means so abun- 

 dant as the wooded nature of the Province would indicate* 



Common or red grouse, " Muir-fowl," T. Scoticus. Very abundant 

 in most moors, where they are now protected with the greatest care, 

 both by the Highland proprietors and their tenant sportsmen ; and 

 forming by no means the smallest source of revenue to the North of 

 Scotland. Some very beautiful and rare albinoes, one of which is now 

 in the Elgin museum, were killed in 1842, at Advie, in Strathspey, by 

 P. Brown, Esq., of Linkwood. 



Ptarmigan, T. Lagopus. On Belrinnes, and the summits of all the 

 other higher hills, from 2000 to 4000 feet. 



Common partridge, Perdix cinerea. 



Common quail, P. Coturnix. Mr. A. Duff, and several other sports- 

 men, have annually found the quail in the neighbourhood of Elgin, 

 and other sheltered parts of the Province, which is supposed to be 

 the most northern locality that has yet been recorded. 



Great bustard, Otis tarda. A very rare straggler. One was shot 

 near Oakenhead, in 1803, by the late Wm. Young, Esq., of Burghead. 

 Another was taken a few years ago at Inchbroom, by Chas. Barclay, 

 Esq. 



Golden plover, Charadrius pluvialis. Frequent about the hills in 

 summer, descending at other seasons to the low country. 



Dotterel plover, C. Morinellus. " Frequently killed by sportsmen 

 in Strathdearn and Badenoch," G. Anderson, Esq. Inverness. 



Ringed plover, " Sandy laverock, 1 ' C Hiaticula. Common about 

 the rivers and seashores. 



Grey plover, Vanellus griseus. Seen by Mr. Foljambe. 

 Lapwing, " Peewit," " Pteuchat," V. cristatus. A regular and plen- 

 tiful summer visitor ; to be found in all marshy and damp grounds. 

 . Arrives about the first week of March. Does it winter in any part of 

 England ? 



Oyster- catcher, " Sea-piet," " Culphleep," Hcematopus Ostralegus. 

 Not uncommon along the shore and on the shingly banks of the dif- 

 ferent rivers. Found inland as far as Granton on the Spey. Arrives 

 at its breeding-ground on the Lossie about the middle of March and 



