Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/353

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Scotland. — On looking through the lists of provincial names of animals given for various counties of England in the last number of 'The Zoologist' (pp. "287 — 292), it occurred to me that a com- parison with Scotch local names might prove of interest. I am preparing county lists of local names in Scotland with a view to publication, and for purposes of comparison, and in an article — which is almost ready for press — upon the Natural- History notes in the 'Old Statistical Account of Scotland,' I have noticed the older Scotch names of quadrupeds and birds therein given. Mean- while I will give such of the provincial names mentioned in the last number of The Zoologist' as are in use in Scotland : —

Badger. Brock.

This name is still used, but only very locally. It is to be found, however, constantly appearing in the names of places in Scotland where the animal was at one time more abundant than it is now. Thus, "Broc-lan" (i.e. full of badgers), the name of a farm in Perthshire.*

Fieldfare. Storm-bird.

In many parts of Scotland this name, or " Storm-cock," is ap- plied to the Missel Thrush; but it has doubless originated in error, as we also find in Scotland that the term "Felti" or "Fel- tifiyer" is applied in like manner to both species. The first ap- pearance of Fieldfares in Scot- land is held to predict a storm ; whence the name, which has come to be applied also to the Missel Thrush.

Redstart. The name " Fire-tail" is also applied in Stirlingshire.

Stonechat. Stone-chuck.

Our form is "Stonechacker" or "Stonechatter"; but this name is more generally applied in Scotland to the Wheatear.

Nightjar. Night-hawk.

This name is also in common use in Scotland.

Lapwing. Pee-weep.

Our form is "Peesweep."

Oystercatcher. Sea-pie or Sea-piet. Whimbrel. May-bird.

This name is universally applied throughout the Long Island or Outer Hebrides, and in many other parts of the West of Scot- land.

Common Sandpiper. Summer Snipe.

The name "Summer Snipe" is applied in Scotland usually to the Common Sandpiper, as is also another less elegant epi- thet, descriptive of a well-known habit usually observable when the bird, on being suddenly dis- turbed, takes flight.

Gull. Maw; Sea Maw.

The Glaucous Gull is "Golden Maw."

Song Thrush. Mavie in Scotland.

Greenfinch. Green Lintie.

Dipper. Water Craw.

Goldfinch. Flinch.

In Scotland " Goldflinch." I do not know of any other finches in Scotland, except the Bul- finch, which has an I inserted in the local name, as above.

Rook. Craw universally in South and central districts of Scotland.

Ring Dove or "Cushat." Cushie or Cushiedoo in Scotland.

Old Statistical Account of Scotland,' vol. xi. (1794), p. 615.