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The Gaelic Names of Birds. 71
DUNLIV.
Latiii—Trine/ a vnriahilis. Gaelic PoUnrnn, PoUairenn (summer),
Gille-fexdaig (-winter). Welsh Pihydd rhacldyoch.
The Gaelic name of the Dunlin—Pollaran, small bird of the
mud holes—describes its habits in a single word, as it is alwaj's to
be found wading in muddy holes left by the receding tide, in
search of its food.
Family V.— Kcdlidoi.
LAND RAIL.
Latin Crex prtaensis. Gaelic Treun-ri-treim, Treuhhna,
Trennna. Welsh — Rhegen yr yd.
A very curious habit of this bird, which does not seem to be
generally known, is that if it is quietly approached after dark in
a hay field where there is a thick cover, when it is " craking " it
will allow one to come so close as to stand right over it, and still
continues to utter its harsh cry. I have often followed it so, right
across a field ; but though I was within a few inches of it I could
never see it. I have often tried to catch it, when leaning right
over it, by suddenly dropping down upon it. However, it always
.'Springs up some yards in front. It glides so very quietly and
swiftly through the grass, and is so sharp that it can well allow a
very near approach and still feel safe enough.
Latin
WATER-RAIN.
Rnlliis aquaticus. Gaelic Snagan-cdlt, Duhh-snagan,
Snagan-duhh. Welsh Cwtiar.
This is one of the very shiest of British birds. It can slip
away or hide itself where there is scarcely a particle of cover ;
and from this comes the old proverb— B'e sin buachailleachd nan
.snagan-duhh 's an luachair—That were the herding of the waterrail
among the rushes ; applied to any impossible undertaking.
WATER HEN.
Latin— Gallinula chloropus. Gaelic — Cearc-uisge. Welsh -
Dw/riar.
Family VI.—Lobipedidce.
COOT, OR BALD COOT.
Latin Fulica atra. Gaelic Lacha-bhlar, Eun-snamhtha
(Alex. Macdonald). Welsh Jar ddwfr foel fwyaf.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.
Latin
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Phalaropus byperboreus. Gaelic — Deargan-allt (Grey).
Welsh Pibydd each llydundroed.