NOTES ON BIRDS OF SOUTH UIST, OUTER HEBRIDES 77 



MERGUS MERGANSER, Goosander. Very rare, but I often see a 

 pair or two in very stormy weather, and I shot a very good specimen 

 in 1883, which was preserved. 



COLUMBA PALUMBUS, Wood Pigeon. One seen, very tired, in 

 stormy weather, November 1896. 



TURTUR COMMUNIS, Turtle Dove. One came to the Lodge 

 some years ago, on a very stormy day. It stayed for a day or 

 two. 



SYRRHAPTES PARADOXUS, Pallas Sand-grouse. A flock of about 

 30 were here in 1888. I shot two which are in Sir Reginald 

 Cathcart's collection. 



PERDIX CINEREA, Partridge. Were introduced twice by Sir 

 Reginald Cathcart, and proved a failure. They seemed to be 

 carried away out of their course by the winter storms, and we saw 

 some in places where one would never expect them. 



RALLUS AQUATICUS, Water Rail. I saw lots of Water Rails, and 

 found them most numerous on the east side of the island when 

 hunting for Woodcock. Certainly they are difficult to observe 

 without a cfose-\\unt'mg dog. 



CREX PRATENSIS, Corncrake. I never saw a Corncrake in the 

 winter, nor later than the end of September, and it is very surprising 

 to me that Mr. Peel saw so many. 



FULICA ATRA, Coot. This bird is increasing in South Uist. 



CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS, Golden Plover. More numerous this 

 year than for a number of years. I have found partially white 

 specimens several times ; almost every year there are two or three 

 in the first flocks that appear in September. 



VANELLUS VULGARIS, Green Plover. More numerous than in 

 former years ; swarming all over South Uist. 



PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS, Red-necked Phalarope. Certainly 

 was on the increase (v. "Annals," 1903, p. 9), but egg-collectors 

 coming to the Outer Hebrides hotels in the guise of tourists and 

 anglers are difficult to detect, seeing they are always round the 

 water. 



SCOLOPAX RUSTICULA, Woodcock. Never saw a nest in South 

 Uist or Benbecula. The 5th of October is the earliest date on 

 which I ever saw or shot them once, a couple. We had a very 

 good show the last two winters, but certainly not so numerous since 

 the severe frost of 1894-95. Hundreds were killed by so-called 

 " sportsmen " in the island, when the poor birds could scarcely rise ; 

 and many died, as no feeding was to be had. 



