NOTES ON BIRDS OF SOUTH UIST, OUTER HEBRIDES 75 



large numbers of migratory birds appear in October and March. 

 Sir Reginald Cathcart strictly preserves them on the lakes where 

 they breed, hence the increase. Formerly one of the lakes was 

 connected with the Loch Boisdale hotel, but Sir Reginald gave 

 another loch to the hotel and preserved the Goose Lake. Common 

 on Benbecula as a visitor, but few breed there. Uncommon in 

 Barra, but they are seen occasionally. I once saw two nests, about 

 thirty yards apart, right in the face of a rock close to an arm of the 

 sea ; one had five eggs, the other four, but never saw nests in that 

 place since. 



ANSER ALBIFRONS, White-fronted Goose. Unknown in Ben- 

 becula and even in the north part of South Uist until the last three 

 or four years. A flock of about 50 frequents Loch Bee and the 

 vicinity. The natives did not know the bird on its first appearance. 



Very numerous in the south part of South Uist more this year 

 than ever I saw. 



BERNICLA BRENTA, Brent Goose, p. 99. Very rare in South Uist. 

 Two were shot this last winter October being in immature 

 plumage. There is a very good specimen in Sir Reginald Cathcart's 

 collection, which was shot on the Strand at Barra. 



BERNICLA LEUCOPSIS, Bernacle Goose, p. 99. In large numbers, 

 increasing yearly, i.e. so far as South Uist is concerned. (Mr. Guthrie 

 agrees with me that the geese migrating, as described by Mr. Peel 

 ("Annals," 1902, p. 205), were not Greylag Geese but Bernacles. 

 J. A. H.-B.). ' 



I have seen an enormous flock, as it might be, one day, and next 

 day not a single Bernacle on the island, unless a piner, or wounded 

 bird. 



It is rather strange, but my experience is that the majority of 

 the Bernacles arrive from the south, especially if north or west 

 winds ; but I think they fly down wind out at sea, then when about 

 Barra turn and fly up wind. On the other hand, the White-fronted 

 Geese always arrive from the north-east year after year, coming on 

 the same line. 



ANAS BOSCAS, Wild Duck, p. 102. Wild Duck are on the 

 decrease in these islands. I always think flapper shooting, as is 

 carried on where shootings are let, is very detrimental to this bird. 

 Not because of the number shot so much as that many more are 

 destroyed by the dogs in the marshes. Wild duck shooting ought 

 not to open sooner than 2oth August in the islands. 



ANAS STREPERA, Gadwall, p. 103. Regularly frequent some 

 places year after year, but I have never seen any in the breeding 

 season. 



