Bannatyne Club > Excerpta e libris domicilii Jacobi Quinti regis Scotorum, MDXXV-MDXXXIII [1525-1533]

With tlic cxception ot' Larks, whicli are occasionally referred to,
tlio list of land birds is thus limited. The catalogue of Water Fowl
is niore extcnsive.
Aniong the Waders, the Heron is occasionally recorded under the
names Herle, Ardea, and Ciconia. Though the latter tcrm might
seem to refer to the Stork, it is to be observed that several of the dates
of piirchase do not accord with the migrations of that bird. The
Crane, gru-t, is likewise occasionally referred to. Grues plurimi is a
phrase employed bv Leslev in rcference to this bird as a denizen of
Scotland.
Wliile, as might have been expected, Woodcocks, Plovers, Snipes,
and Redshanks, occupy a place in the catalogue, Dotterels are likewise
noticed as having been obtained, as at present, in the spring, on thelr
passage to the breeding-ground.
The comnion Duck and Goose, domesticated and wild, occupy a
prominent place among the water-fowl, — the latter, however, iu the
greatest abundance ; with occasionally Swans, Teals, Clackis or Berna-
cle, and Sheldrake, together with Auce Solares, by which Solan Geese
are probably referred to.
The FiSHES employed at the Royal table appear to have been numer-
ous in point of species, but they are expressed in the entries in such
terms as to render mere conjectural attempts at a correct nomenclature
of very little value. On this account, it seems unnecessary to do more
than refer to a kw of the terms, remarkable as indicating the extent
and regularity of the supjjly, or the singular kiiids selected for the
table.