110 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



It is somewhat curious to find that the closely-allied American 

 species (Haematopus iKdliatus), according to Audubon, never comes 

 up the St. La-vvrence, nor leaves the salt water, for breeding 

 purposes. 



In Sutherland they seldom place their nests in such places as 

 Mr Hewitson describes, viz. : — on " a piece of gravel or stony 

 ground," but generally, and by preference, on the grassy tops of 

 the islands, often amongst patches of sea pink. The nests often 

 contain numerous pieces of crab's shells. 



Order vii., GRALLAE. Fam. it., ARDEIDAE. 



COMMON HERON. 



ARDEA CI N ERE A, Linnaeus. 



There are various Heronries in the county. Those two with 

 which I am best acquainted are both in the west, and occupy the 

 low birch-trees on the islands of two different lochs. At Balblair, 

 another locality, they breed on high fir-trees, but I cannot learn 

 that they were ever known at any locality to breed on the ground, 

 as stated by Mr St. John. In the localities which I have visited, 

 the nests are often not more than six feet from the ground, and 

 are generally formed by heather stalks, twigs of alder-tree or 

 willow, lined with heather tops and dry grass; and, where it 

 grows, a few blades of wild garlic {Allium ursinum), are often 

 introduced, by no means detracting from the already offensive 

 odour which arises from their filthy nests. 



I have frequently taken their eggs in May, and even as late as 

 June; in the latter case from a locality where the nests could 

 scarcely have been robbed without the aid of a boat, except by 

 Hooded Crows. Herons used to breed at Loch Cama, but, as 

 already noticed, have of late years been driven away by the 

 Eooks. 



I have often been struck by observing the small size of eggs 

 of certain species of birds obtained in the north and west, as 

 compared with those of the same species from localities further 

 south and east, and I am inclined to consider the difference con- 

 stant, at least in eggs of the Common Heron. 



