THE BIRDS OF THE ISLAND OF TIREE 



199 



aquatic weeds which they find on the bottom. On flight they are 

 somewhat heavy, and rather lazy to rise off the water. 



Tufted Duck (Fuligula cristata). This species is common 

 although not numerous during winter and spring, and a very few 

 sometimes remain on Loch Vasapol all summer, where they nested 

 some years ago ; but like the Pochards, and from the same cause, 

 they have discontinued doing so. They are often along with the 

 Pochards, and feed in the same way. 



Scaup-Duck (Fuligula marild). A regular winter visitor. I 

 have an idea that some of them breed at no great distance, as 

 I once saw a young bird on a pool here in the month of August. 

 The bird was little better than a Flapper and could not fly far, 

 so it could not have come a long distance. The time of their 

 migration is from September to November, and they are to be seen 

 on the sea and on the fresh-water lochs. They shift about a great 

 deal, and their numbers vary from month to month. Sometimes 

 they are abundant on the lochs, and other times very few are to be 

 seen. 



Goldeneye (Clangula gluution). Single birds of this species 

 are common enough, both on the fresh-water lochs and on Gott 

 Bay during winter and spring, immature birds predominating. They 

 are rather late in arriving, and are most numerous during the 

 months of January and February. They are entirely bottom feeders, 

 and are expert divers and travel a considerable distance under 

 water. Their flesh is not very good for eating. They leave the 

 island towards the middle of March. 



Long-tailed Duck {Harelda glacialis). Very common all 

 round the coast of the island during autumn and winter, in small 

 flocks of half a dozen or so. I have seen a few shot on Loch a 

 Phuil, and one or two on the Faodhal. They disappear from here 

 about the end of March. The male is a very pretty bird, and can 

 ride out the roughest weather at sea. 



Common Eider (Somaferia mollissimd). This species is 

 abundant, and nests on a great many different places on the island, 

 sometimes a considerable distance from the sea. Some fancy 

 the rocks on the sea-shore for a site for the nest, some the sea 

 bent, and some on bare rocks near the middle of the island. 

 Their eggs are much appreciated by the natives, as they are large. 

 Last year (191 1) a crofter put four Eider-Ducks : eggs under a Hen. 

 Four birds were hatched and reared until they were fine big birds, 



