164 



WATSON : ORNITHOLOGY OF SKIDDAW, ETC. 



of the fell folk. It is one which is gradually diminishing in the 

 north, for whilst it was once not uncommon and widely distributed, 

 it is now both rare and local in its distribution. 



There is no sufficient cover on any of the higher mountains for 

 Black Game ; but the indigenous Red Grouse {Lagopus scoticus) is 

 sparsely scattered up to above 2,500 feet, at which height the peat 

 suddenly ceases. These birds are somewhat less in size and more 

 hardy than those on the lowland moors. They rarely have more than 

 six or seven young, and generally four or five. This is probably owing 

 to the severe climatic conditions with which they have to contend j 

 their spring and summer at this altitude being only of about four 

 months' duration. The coveys are late hatched, and the birds lie 

 closely, but disease is almost wholly unknown. Pied varieties of the 

 red grouse, and others almost white, occur commonly among the 

 Lake hills. The Ptarmigan is not found on any of these mountains, 

 although the experiment of establishing them on S^iddaw was tried, 

 and failed. 



It is probable that the number of grouse found on the higher 

 ranges may be very much kept in check by the great number of 

 Carrion-Crows {Corvus corone) which everywhere exist among the 

 fells. These impale the eggs of the Red Grouse upon their bills 

 and carry them away to eat at leisure. Under some wail or rock 

 great numbers of egg-shells may often be found, testifying to the 

 havoc which these sable marauders commit. This bird is one of the 

 features of the fell fauna, and is well known to the dalesmen and 

 shepherds, who give it a bad character. In spite of much persecution, 

 however, it is still a common resident, keeping to the sheep-walks 

 in search of food, and breeding among the mountains. Although 

 a great carrion feeder, it will kill weak and ailing lambs, picking 

 out the eyes and tongues of these when they are reduced to a 

 helpless condition. They are resident birds, and only the snows of 

 winter drive them to the lowlands in search of food. 



The Hooded Crow {Corviis comix) only comes as an occasional 

 visitant, though sometimes hybrids between it and the Carrion-Crow 

 are shot among the hills. 



Once only, as we were passing a wild ghyll at the head of 

 Eskdale, a pair of Missel-Thrushes {Tardus viscivorus) flew high 

 above, and straight across the mountain. This was somewhat 

 remarkable, as the storm-cock is rarely seen on the highest mountains 

 themselves, in spite of ' Mountain-throstle ' being one of its 

 Cumbrian names. 



After the snows of last year (1886), the fell sheep of the higher 

 runs perished by hundreds, and the farmers (four in number) of the 



Naturalist, 



