Is somewhat less than a partridge. The upper side of the body is party-coloured of red, black, and grey, very beautiful to the sight. From the bill almost to the middle of the head he is of a reddish ash-colour. The breast and belly are grey, with transverse brown lines; under the tail the colour is somewhat yellowish; the chin is white with a tincture of yellow. They are migratory birds, coming over into Britain in Autumn, and departing again in the beginning of Spring; yet they pair before they go, and are seen flying two together.

The colours of this timid bird make him apparently like the withered stalks and leaves of fern, sticks, moss, and grass, which form the back ground of the scenery, by which he is sheltered in his moist and solitary retreats. The sportsman only, by being accustomed to it, is enabled to discover him, and his leading marks are the full eye and glossy silver white-tipped tail of the bird. The flesh is held in bigh estimation, and hence he is eagerly sought

after by sportsmen. It is hardly necessary to notice, that in dressing it for the spit the entrails are not to be drawn, as, dropping upon slices of toasted bread, they are relished as a delicious kind of sauce. By some late observations it appears, that several individuals of the species remain with us the whole year. They frequent especially moist and wampy woods, the thick hedges near rivulets, and places affording them their allotted food, which consists in very small insects found in the mud.

THE GREY PLOVER

Is about the bigness of the lapwing, the head, back, and coverts of the wings are black, with tips of a greenish grey; the chin white, the throat spotted with brown or dusky spots; the breast, belly, and thighs white. The taste of the flesh, when the bird is caught in the proper season, is delicate and savory, otherwise it is hard, and has a strong and rank flavour.

The Green Plover is about the size of the former. The colour of the whole upper side is black, thick set with yellowish green spots; the breast brown,

with spots as on the back; the belly is white. The flesh is sweet and tender, and therefore highly esteemed as a choice dish in this as well as any other country.

Is proverbially accounted a foolish bird, and it is hardly possible to decide why, or upon what ground. This bird seems to be migratory, and makes his appearance in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Derbyshire in April, but soon leaves those counties and retires in June to places which are totally unknown. In April, and sometimes in September, they are seen in Wiltshire and Berkshire. They are generally caught, like other birds, by night; when, dazzled by the light of a torch, they are at a loss to know where to fly for safety, the whole place being in darkness, except the very spot which they should avoid. Many and most ridiculous stories have been propagated about the gestures of this bird, endeavouring to imitate the actions of the fowler, and thereby falling into the snare laid for him; but they ought to be entirely exploded.

Is bigger than the plover, and also called the Water-Hen. The breast is of a lead colour, and the belly inclining to grey or ash colour; the back all over blackish. As she swims or walks, she often flirts up her tail. They feed upon watery grass and roots, and upon the small insects which adhere to them; they grow fat, and their flesh is esteemed for its taste next to that of the teal; yet it is seldom that you can deprive it entirely of its fishy taste. They build their nests upon low trees and shrubs by the water side, breeding twice or thrice in the course of a summer; the eggs are white with a tincture of green, dashed with brown spots. This bird must not be mistaken for the moor-game, which is described in another part of this work.

There are very few countries in the world, where these birds are not to be found. They generally prefer the cold mountainous regions in summer, and lower and warmer situations during winter.

Is the least of the duck kind, weighing only twelve ounces. The breast and belly are of a dirty white, inclining to a grey tint. The back and sides under the wings are curiously varied with lines of white and black; the wings are all over brown, and the tail of the same colour. This bird is common in England during the winter months, and it is still uncertain, whether it does not breed here, as it does in France. The female makes her nest of reeds interwoven with grass; and, as it is reported, places it among the rushes, in order that it may rise and fall according to the accidental height of the water. They live commonly upon cresses, chervil, and some other weeds; as well as upon seeds and small animated beings that swarm in the water. The flesh of the Teal is a great delicacy in the winter season, and has less of the fishy flavour than any of the wild duck kind.

44

With spotted breast and webbed feet, the Teal,

Dear to the sporting Naiads of the lakes,

Swims gently on the crystal plain, and cleaves,

With steady thrusts, the yielding wave: but if,

At eve, the neighb'ring hills and woods resound

With dangerous noise; well warn'd with fear, she dives,
And then, lost to the fowler's watching eye,

She safely grazes on the green leav'd weeds,

That stretch and flag along the stream, and seeks
The wriggling insect in the turbid ooze.}

Z.