340 The Scottish Natiwalisi. 



spring of 1879, the former of which was shot.^ Had these birds 

 been left unmolested, they might probably have remained and 

 bred. It has also been lately got in the lower part of the Tay, 

 below Broughty Ferry. 



120. Anas boschas, Linn, (Wild Duck.) 



121. QuERQUEDULA CRECCA, Stcph. (Teal.) 



Both the Wild Duck and Teal breed abundantly in many parts 

 of the district. The nest of the former I have observed in a tree 

 ten or twelve feet high overhanging the banks of a stream on 

 the Ochils. Both these species used to visit the tidal part of 

 the river in considerable numbers every winter, but now they 

 are greatly reduced, from being so continually fired at. 



Dafila acuta, Eyton. (Pin-tailed Duck.) 



This beautiful duck seems to be rather local in its habits, be- 

 ing common on some parts of the British coasts and fens, and 

 rare in other places. With us it can only be looked upon as a 

 mere casual. 



122. NvROCA FERiNA, Flem. (Pochard.) 



123. FuLiGULA CRiSTATA, Stcph. (Tuftcd Duck.) 



Both the Pochard and Tufted Duck, though not very common 

 with us, seem to be pretty generally dispersed. Though more 

 frequently found in winter, there are several instances of their 

 breeding in the district. Both these birds seem to be greatly 

 more abundant on the western than the eastern coast, as I have 

 found them in great numbers on the Clyde, more especially the 

 Tufted Duck. This may also apply to the next species. 



124. FuLiGULA MARiLA, Stcph. (Scaup Duck.) 



The Scaup is not unfrequent on the tidal parts of the Tay, 

 coming up and returning with the tide, but in nothing like the 

 quantities to be found in the Clyde. A female Scaup, probably 

 a wounded bird, made its appearance this spring (1880) during 

 the open weather on the curling-pond at Seggieden, remaining 

 for two or three weeks ; and being unmolested, it became quite 

 familiar. It fed principally upon a species of water-snail (Lim- 

 naa limosa) with which the pond abounded. Whether some 



^ Scot. Nat., vol. V. p. 260. 



