NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 181 



15tli May here, so that while some early ones hatched out by the 

 5th, many had not arrived at their breeding haunts, or were just 

 arriving. Many died also on Loch Tay side. 



The observations of the summer go to prove that Wild Duck 

 were unusually plentiful, caused, it is believed, by the deterrent 

 effects of the late spring upon the northward migration, the latter 

 being therefore restricted. 



As early as 18th September, 1879, Ducks began to frequent 

 salt water [J. H., in lit.]. 



GADWALL. 



Chaulelasmus streperus (Lin. J. 



These appeared plentifully at some localities upon the west coast. 

 I know of between 30 and 40 having been shot by one shooting 

 party, and of as many as five having been killed in a few hours. 

 They were mingling with other Wild Duck, and were frequenting 

 salt-water lochs. I received two specimens — both males — from 

 Mr. Henderson, of Phionphort, Mull, which were, along with 

 others, shot by him about the middle of November, but apparently 

 they moved further south later in the season this year. There 

 can scarcely be a doubt that the Gadwall is a regular visitor to our 

 west coast, where it usually winters on some of the most suitable 

 islands. 



Mr. Gray also records the occurrence of this species on Loch 

 Leven in the last week of December, 1878; and another on the 

 Forth, at Kincardine — a young male — on the 14th March, 1879 

 \loc. cit.\ 



TEAL. 



Nettium crecca (Lin.). 



Teal have been unusually scarce all winter, and I am inclined 

 to think they were amongst the first birds to take their departure 

 southward. The scarcity of the species has been very generally 

 remarked upon, and in spring, during April, they did not return 

 in such numbers to their breeding haunts. By the middle of May, 

 however, they began to reappear somewhat more plentifully. 

 From many localities they have been almost quite absent from 

 beginning of December until middle or end of April. I cannot 

 think that Teal this summer, and up to the end of August, or later, 

 was nearly as plentiful as in ordinary seasons, 



