122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Possibly, also, it may yet be found in some part of Sutherland, 

 especially as the locality in Caithness is not far removed from 

 the boundary line between the two counties. Mr Dunbar " has 

 known the eggs taken more than once." 



• 



RED-BEEASTED MERGANSER. 



MERGUS SERRATORy Linnaeus. 



Common, and found breeding on many of the larger lochs, as 

 well as on the islands of the numberless arms of the sea which 

 indent the western coast. When found inland, seldom more than 

 one or two pairs frequent the same loch, but on one small island 

 of a sea loch, I have found as many as three nests, and I was told 

 by a person in the neighbourhood that there were generally three 

 pairs there every year. 



Any nests of the Red-breasted Merganser I have examined in 

 Sutherland have not been concealed from view amongst loose 

 stones, or in turf holes, as is the case in the Hebrides and elsewhere, 

 but have invariably been placed amongst long heather on a sloping 

 bank, and not hidden, except from the most inexperienced eye. 

 The Hooded Crows, at all events, soon find them out, and no 

 sooner does the female quit the nest than one or both of the 

 black vermin, probably breeding on some neighbouring rock, 

 repair to the unguarded nest. On the island above mentioned, I 

 have seen a pair of " Hoodies" hunting the ground as systematically 

 as any good pointer or setter dog. 



Order viii., AN SERES. Fam. il, COLYMBIDAE. 



BLACK-THROATED DIVER. 



COLYMBUS ARCTIC US (Lmyiaeus). 



This handsome species was first discovered as resident and 

 breeding in Great Britain by Mr Selby's party in 1834. It is 

 now well known as far from uncommon on the inland lochs, 

 always choosing a green island for its nest. The Black- throated 

 Diver is perhaps more plentiful in the south-western portion of 

 Sutherland than elsewhere in the county, becoming very scarce 

 northward in Edderachyllis, and north-eastward through the rest 

 of the county. In both these directions it gives place to the Red- 

 throated Diver. I consider that in the west the proportion of 



