SOME BIRD NOTES FROM THE OUTER HEBRIDES 213 



SHOVELLER, Anas dypeata, Linn. Is still on the increase. We found 

 two nests this year, one on 2 8th May. This contained eleven 

 eggs, and was in exactly the same position as the one we 

 found last year. The young had all hatched off by lyth June, 

 when not a vestige of the down or egg-shells remained one is 

 at a loss to know what happens to it. In the beginning of 

 June we constantly observed a Mallard drake associating with 

 a Shoveller duck, seemingly paired to her. In a collection made 

 in these islands there is a remarkable variety of the Mallard 

 which is to all appearances a hybrid between that species and 

 the Shoveller. 



PINTAIL, Dafila acuta, Linn. Though a single drake was seen last 

 year in the middle of June, we were unable to obtain any 

 evidence that they remain to breed. None were seen this 

 year. 



TEAL, Nettion crecca, Linn. Were abundant this year. By the 2oth 

 of June females were seen with young. One of the keepers 

 found a nest containing sixteen eggs. 



WIGEON, Mareca penelope, Linn. A pair was seen last year, in the 

 middle of June. No traces of any could be found this season. 



TUFTED DUCK, Fuligula cristata, Leach. A nest with nine eggs 

 was found in the same hollow, which contained a Scaup's nest 

 with a similar number last year. These are to all intents and 

 purposes the same in both species, though the down differs. 

 Unless special steps had been taken, a mistake in identity might 

 easily have occurred. Only one pair of these ducks were seen, 

 as compared with four times that number last year. By i yth 

 June these eggs had all hatched off, and again every vestige 

 of down and egg-shell had disappeared. 



SCAUP, Fuligula mania, Linn. I think it is well known that duck 

 are especially erratic in regard to their appearance in a 

 locality. Last season we observed no less than five pairs ; this, 

 on the other hand, not a single specimen was seen. 



GOLDEN-EYE, Clangula glaucion, Linn. On agth May, amid the 

 wintry storms we were treated to, two pairs of Golden-eye 

 appeared and stayed till 8th June, raising hopes that they 

 might breed, though in the absence of trees they would have 

 had to exercise their wits to find suitable nesting-holes. They 

 were composed of two females, a fine drake in full plumage, 

 and a sombre-coloured one of the same sex with white spot but 

 faintly marked. 



LONG-TAILED DUCK, Harelda glacialis, Linn. This duck is not 

 common off these coasts during the summer. A pair in full 

 summer plumage were seen out at sea on 8th June. 



