Armitt: The Birds of Rydal. 



Land Rail. Crex crex (L.). Summer visitant to the few 

 hay meadows. 



Moor Hen. Gallinula chloropus (L.). Permanent resident. 

 Frequent by the lake at almost all times. I have seen its nest 

 very cunningly constructed of Horse-tails, in a growing- patch 

 of which it was placed. 



Common Coot. Fulica atra L. Permanent resident, except 

 in the early months of autumn, when the birds vanish for a time. 

 It is in the patches of Lesser Reed-mace ( Typha augustifolid) 

 that this bird chiefly nests. It may be seen in times of flood 

 hurriedly building its nest higher. 



Wood Pigeon. Columba palumbus L. Permanent resident. 

 Large travelling parties appear, too, in the winter to feed upon 

 Holly and Ivy berries, as well as upon acorns and Beech mast. 

 As I have seen them upon the Juniper Fell above the Esthwaite 

 Vale (where the farmer says they come sometimes ' in a cloud'), 

 I suppose they also eat the ' Savin ' berry. 



Stock Dove. Columba cenas L. Summer visitant. A 

 small flock of these birds generally appear with Ring Doves in 

 the first months of the year and remain about the Knott Wood 

 and the high trees under the Scar. That they occasionally nest 

 in the rocks of the Scar is certain, as the keeper found a nest 

 there in 1895 or 1896. 



Red Grouse. Lagopus scoticus (Lath.). The keeper has 

 never seen it in the parish, though it is said to be in the Heather 

 of Wansfell. There is a small preserved Grouse moor above 

 Hawkshead Hill. But in general the character of our mountains, 

 on which the sheep graze in summer, does not favour the species. 



Black Grouse. Lyrurus tetrix (L.). Occasional visitant. 

 This species breeds on all the heights round the Esthwaite 

 Valley, but has been only occasionally seen in Rydal by the 

 keeper. 



Common Partridge. Perdix perdix (L.). Permanent resi- 

 dent. Scarce. The keeper sees a pair occasionally on the breast 

 of the Scar, above Hart Head ; another in the park, whence they 

 move into Scandale. 



Common Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus L. Permanent 

 resident. Extensive breeding is done at the park. The keeper 

 tells me he has to protect the young- chicks from Sparrow Hawks 

 and from Jackdaws, which come upon them in a swarm. The 

 Buzzards give no trouble. 



