THE BIRDS OF THE ISLAND OF BARRA 205 



WHOOPER SWAN, Cygnus musicus, Bechstein. Small flocks of this, 

 and probably also of Bewick's Swan, pass over the island 

 occasionally, but seldom alight, owing to the absence of lakes 

 of any size. 



MUTE SWAN, Cygnus olor, J. F. Gmelin. A couple of young 

 birds were taken to Eoligary from North Uist last year. They 

 feed in the marshes and pools through the day, and at night 

 generally come to the house to be fed. 



COMMON SHELDDUCK, Tadorna cornuta, S. G. Gmelin. Fairly 

 numerous and permanently resident, nesting in rabbit-holes. 



MALLARD WILD DUCK, Anas boscas, L. Breeding and permanently 

 resident ; but, owing to the small number of lakes and suitable 

 feeding-grounds, the number of the species is very limited. 



GADWALL, Anas streperus, L. Three years ago, in the month of 

 September, I shot a couple of this species at Eoligary, when 

 flying across the island from the west. There were three or 

 four other birds, but this was the only time I ever saw the 

 Gadwall in Barra. 



TEAL, Querquedula crecca (L.) A few are seen in the winter, and 

 probably a pair or two nest, as I came across a brood one 

 autumn very early in the season ; but it is not at all a common 

 bird on the island. 



WIGEON, Mareca penelope (L.) Fairly common in the winter, but 

 does not stay to breed. 



SCAUP DUCK, Fiiligula marila, (L.) On iSth February 1892 I 

 shot a Scaup Duck on the sea not far from my house. This 

 was the only bird of the species I saw in Barra. 



GOLDEN-EYE, Clangnla glancion (L.) A small flock of a dozen or 

 so visit one of the lochs of the island every winter, but leave 

 early in the spring. 



LONG-TAILED DUCK, Harelda gladalis (L.) Very common on the 

 west side of the island in the winter, arriving early in October 

 and leaving late in April. In July 1891 I saw a male of the 

 species at a spot much frequented by the birds in the winter, 

 but it was probably a straggler. 



EIDER DUCK, Somateria mollissima (L.) Very plentiful all the year 

 round, nesting principally within easy reach of the sea ; but it 

 is gradually extending its breeding range farther inland some 

 considerable distance from the sea. 



RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, Mergus serrator (L.) Very common in 

 the winter, but only a limited number remain to breed, 

 probably owing to unsuitable localities, as they generally prefer 

 to nest on islands of fresh -water lakes, where they feed on 

 trout. 



