i8 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



extensively at Balranald, where it is more in evidence than A?ias 

 boscas. Flocks visit the islands during winter but seldom leave the 

 coast. 



Mareca penelope, Linn. Wigeon. A common winter visitor. 

 As a likely breeding species I quote the following: August 1912, 

 five observed till middle of month (three young birds) ; 20th August 

 19 1 2, adult $ killed at Griminish; Sth August 1913, seven seen on 

 loch ; 25th August 19 14, five seen on loch. Other records of young 

 birds killed during September are not infrequent. Considering 

 these examples its nesting in North Uist seems probable. 



Fuiigitla feri/ia, Linn. Pochard. Common winter visitor. A 

 supposed breeding species. Undoubtedly examples remain through- 

 out the summer. On Sth August 19 11, I observed a pair at 

 Balranald, and these behaved as if they had young hard by. 



Fuligula crislata, Linn. Tufted. (B.) An increasing species. 

 Now reported breeding at Balranald. Mr J. G. Millais, in his 

 admirable work, British Diving Ducks, states that it did so some 

 years ago. This I now confirm, though not until recently. 



Fuligula marila, Linn. Scaup. Rare winter visitor. Mr 

 M'Elfrish obtained a pair near West-ford some six years ago. Has 

 been seen at Loch Blashaval. An example from Loch Olavat, 

 obtained 29th October 1903, is now in my collection. This last 

 mentioned was in a very exhausted condition. 



Clangula glaucion, Linn. Goldeneye. Fairly common winter 

 visitor. Adult $, seldom met with. 



Harelda glacialis, Linn. Long - tailed Duck. Common. 

 Winter visitor arriving in October and remaining till May. These 

 birds practically assume full summer plumage before departing. 



Somateria mollissima, Linn. Eider. (B.) Common ; resident 

 in large numbers. Not, however, on the increase. 



[Oidetnia fusca, Linn. Velvet Scoter. Reported now and then 

 from the Sound of Harris, but have seen no specimens.] 



Mergus merganser, Linn. Goosander. A rare winter visitor. 

 Seen occasionally, but have only one record of a bird being actually 

 obtained this was z. $ \n December 1903. Peel also observed 

 this species in North Uist. 



Mergus serrator, Linn. Merganser. (B.) A common resident, 

 increasing in numbers. Breeds freely throughout the island. Large 

 flocks are often seen during the winter. 



Mergus albellus, Linn. Smew. Rare. Observed in North 

 Uist by Mr C. V. H. Peel. An odd pair may be seen during 

 severe frost. 



Cohimba falumbus, Linn. Wood-pigeon. An example from 



