2i 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



SCOTER, CEdemia nigra, Linn. A pair were seen in the same locality, 

 namely, an inlet of the sea, on two occasions, 2oth and 251)1 

 June. It is quite possible that they were breeding, but no 

 further evidence came to light. The record of this species 

 remaining in summer is, I believe, new. 



LANDRAIL, Crex pratensis, Bech. On their arrival in May, before 

 the grass and rushes have grown tall enough, these birds may 

 be seen skulking about in the open anxiously searching for 

 cover. When thus exposed they are constantly mobbed by 

 Common Gulls. On 23rd June we found a nest containing 

 eleven eggs in a small tuft of rushes in the middle of a bare 

 field. On one occasion, after an extra heavy shower, we almost 

 succeeded in catching a Landrail whose wings had become so 

 sodden that he was unable to fly. 



RINGED PLOVER, ALgialitis hiaticola. Linn. Breeds in great 

 numbers on the sandy " machairs " amongst the growing oats. 

 So sorely are they harassed by the Common Gulls that it is 

 a puzzle to me how they manage to keep up their numbers. 

 These of all other eggs are the most palatable to these marauders. 

 The contents of no less than six nests were robbed in this way. 

 and only one pair of all those which came under our notice 

 managed to hatch off its young in safety. Owing to the in- 

 clement weather, no doubt, few complete clutches of eggs 

 were found, three being the full complement in several instances. 

 We found also that those nests in proximity to the Pewits 

 proved best, as the latter courageously and untiringly beat off 

 the Common Gulls, when engaged on their diurnal egg-hunt, 

 from their particular stretch of ground. Of the puny attacks 

 of the smaller species the Gulls appeared not to take the least 

 notice. In these parts it would appear, from an experience 

 during this and last season, that nesting is not commenced till 

 the end of May. Though one would think that the eggs laid 

 amongst their natural habitat, the shingle on the foreshore, 

 would fare better than those farther inland, this does not 

 appear to be the case, for in the latter instance as well they 

 disappeared with the greatest regularity. The peculiar flight 

 indulged in during the love season is remarkable, being more 

 owl- than plover-like, and while thus engaged their version of a 

 love-song, sounding like " pourt, pourt, pourt," may be heard ; 

 often I observed them in their fervour chasing a Dunlin in mis- 

 take for their own mate. Owing, no doubt, to the constant dis- 

 turbance by herd boys and cattle, they were as difficult to 

 photograph as their nests. One in particular completely 

 defeated us, for she would observe the slight movement of the 

 string long before the shutter was released. The rapidity 

 with which a bird is able to receive an impression and act on 



