THE BIRDS OF THE FLANNAN ISLANDS 19 



SHAG (Phalacrocorax graculus}. Very common all the year round, 

 and breeding in considerable numbers. 



We saw old birds feeding young as big as themselves. 

 The importunities of these great babies were of a very persistent 

 nature, and not at all appreciated by the parent birds, which 

 did their best to shake off their lazy offspring. 



GANNET (Sula bassana). Although observed all the year round, 

 Mr. Begg informs me that only a few are seen during the 

 winter months. Soon after the middle of March flocks are 

 observed constantly passing towards St. Kilda, only forty miles 

 distant, and distinctly to be seen each clear day. 



During our visit it was always common, but only adult 

 birds were seen. 



HERON (Ardea cinerea}. An occasional visitor, and only chronicled 

 for the months of August and September. 



We saw five of these birds one on i oth of September, 

 two on the nth, and one on iyth and iSth. All of these 

 were young. They did not stay long, which is not surprising, 

 for the islands afford no suitable feeding grounds. 



GREY GEESE (Anser sp.}. "Grey Geese" are occasional visitors 

 during the autumn and winter ; but the identity of the species 

 visiting the islands has not been ascertained. 



BERNACLE GOOSE (JSermcla leucopsis). About two hundred Bernacles 

 winter on the islands, arriving early in October and remaining 

 until late April, and sometimes seen until about mid-May. 

 Many also visit the islands as birds of passage. 



BRENT GOOSE (Bernicla brenta). On the i6th of September we 

 saw a bird of this species flying to the S.E. It was well seen, 

 and is the only record for the islands. 



WILD DUCK (Anas boscas). The only record is for a pair, male 

 and female, shot by Mr. Begg on the gth of November 

 1904. 



TEAL {Querquedula creaa). Has been shot on the island, singly or 

 in pairs, on several occasions in the months of January, April. 

 July, October, and November. 



EIDER DUCK (Somateria mollissimd). Nests commonly on some of 

 the islands, but is not seen during winter. It returns early, 

 three being seen on the i3th of February 1904. Old and 

 young were very numerous throughout our visit. They 

 usually formed a straggling flock, and fed under the lee of the 

 islands. Several females accompanied by half-grown young 

 ones kept apart from the main body. 



(To be continued.') 



