ON BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE ISLAND OF TIREE 157 



TEAL, Querquedula crecca.--K numerous and resident species. 

 Breeds in suitable places all over the island. 



WIDGEON, Mareca penelope. Numerous during autumn, winter, and 

 spring. Frequents both the sea -shore and the fresh -water 

 lochs. 



POCHARD, Fuligula ferina. Numerous during winter, and a few 

 remain to breed. 



TUFTED DUCK, Fuligula cristata. Common during autumn, winter, 

 and spring. A few remain to breed, but they have only begun 

 to do so within the last few years. 



SCAUP, Fuligula marila. A regular winter visitor in considerable 

 numbers. A few begin to arrive towards the latter end of 

 September. They frequent both the sea-shore and the fresh- 

 water lochs. 



GOLDEN - EYE, Clangula glaucion. Common during winter and 

 spring. It is rather late in arriving, and frequents both the 

 salt and fresh water. 



LONG-TAILED DUCK, Harelda glacialis. - - Very common during 

 winter and spring round the coast. I have seen them feeding 

 on fresh-water lochs. 



EIDER DUCK, Somateria molissima. An abundant resident, breeding 

 in all suitable parts of the island. It very rarely leaves the sea, 

 except during the nesting season. 



COMMON SCOTER, (Edemia nigra. Fairly common, but are never 

 numerous. A pair bred here this year, 1897. I watched the 

 male bird while the female was incubating, but failed to find 

 the nest. However, I have since seen both old birds with a 

 brood of five young ones, and have often been quite close to 

 them. 



GOOSANDER, Mergus merganser. Used to be fairly numerous some 

 years ago, but I have not observed any for the last two years. 



RED - BREASTED MERGANSER, Mergus serrator. - - An abundant 

 resident, breeding on all suitable parts of the island. 

 Frequents both fresh and salt water. 



SMEW, Mergus albellus. Common on Gott Bay during autumn, 

 winter, and spring. It is one of the earliest migratory Ducks 

 to arrive. It is entirely a marine species here. 



ROCK DOVE, Columba livia. Resident, and breeds in caves in 

 different parts of the island. 



PALLAS SAND GROUSE, Syrrhaptes paradoxus. - - Several flocks 

 occurred here during the summer of 1888. They arrived 

 about the end of May, and continued off and on until about 

 the first week of October. 



