i8 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Kinross-shire. In 1908 two pairs of Gadwall were observed 

 on Loch Leven by Mr William Evans " evidently breeding " ; the 

 nest was not found that year {A.S.N.H., 1908, p. 254), but early 

 in June of the next year two nests of this species were found 

 beside this loch {A.S.N.H., 1909, p. 184). They were placed 

 among rushes about fifty yards from the water's edge and contained 

 five and seven eggs respectively. In 19 10 the species again bred 

 on this loch, and a nest with ten eggs was found on 14th June 

 by Mr Evans {A.S.N.H., 1910, p. 249). A few pairs are reported 

 breeding at this loch up to 19 15, so it looks as if here, at any rate, 

 the Gadwall has founded a permanent colony. 



Midlothian. The same well-known naturalist saw a pair of 

 Gadwall " at one of the reservoirs in the south-western section of 

 Midlothian," on several occasions from April to June 1916; from 

 their behaviour he was certain they were breeding in the locality 

 but failed to find the nest {Scot. Nat., 19 16, p. 289). Curiously 

 enough this appears to be the first record of the Duck for 

 Midlothian. 



Tay. 



A winter visitor, not very numerous ; there is one breeding 

 record. As long ago as 1906 young Gadwall were shot in early 

 August in the Tay Area {A.S.N.H., 1906, p. 238), bat this does 

 not necessarily mean that they were bred locally. 



North Fife. In May 19 18 a nest and eggs of this species were 

 found near a small loch in the north-east of Fife {Scot. Nat., 19 18, 

 p. 266), and later in the season two young Gadwall were shot 

 there in a mixed bag of Duck. They did not return to breed in 

 1919 ; apparently this is a case of purely sporadic nesting. 



Moray. 



A scarce winter visitor, one breeding record. 



Ross-shire. Gadwall and young are recorded in June 1913 from 

 a loch in the Moray Area {Report on Scot. Orn., 1913, p. 15), and 

 Mr William Berry, Lentran, to whom we are indebted for this 

 information, tells us that the loch referred to is in Ross-shire. He 

 writes, "The war prevented me visiting the Gadwall ground so I 

 can't say if they still nest there. From 1907 to 1914 I usually 

 killed or saw some on the Beauly Firth every year ; the usual 

 months were October and November; the most recent note of 

 birds killed is for 3rd February 191 7. I agree with you that they 

 do nest for a year or two and then disappear ; this I noticed on 

 the east coast of England and in Hampshire." 



