242 THE BIRDS OF STRATHBEO. 



sort, from the fiimily likeness; and on inquiring its name, was informed that 

 it was an Egyptian Goose. 



We now come to, perhaps, the most extensive tribe which visits the Loch, 

 namely, the Ducks. Of these the Mallard, (Anas boschas,) or, as it is here 

 termed the *Moss Duck,' is perhaps the most numerous; the Widgeon, (Mareca 

 Penelope,) being the next. I have seen some most excellent specimens from 

 that quarter. The beautiful little Teal, (Anas crecca,) is also in pretty fair 

 numbers. The Garganey, {Anas querquedula.) — Although I have placed this 

 pretty bird here, I am not aware whether it is a winter visitor to the Loch 

 or not, but this I know, that whilst on a boating excursion in the summer 

 of 1850, with Mr. John Ewerdine, we met with a party of three, which 

 we pursued, but unluckily the same success attended me as did with the 

 Brent Geese; always taking to wing as they observed us pulling towards them, 

 and not allowing us to approach near within gun-shot. 



The Scaup, [Fuligula marila,) the Tufted, {F. cndata,) and the Red-headed 

 Pochard, or Dun-bird, {F. ferina,) as also the Golden-Eyed Garrot, {^Clangula 

 Garrotta^ are all to be met with. The Scaups and the Golden Eyes are 

 more plentiful than the others. I have likewise on several occasions met with 

 the Dun-bird on the Loch during summer. The Pintail, (Anas acuta,) the 

 FervvLginoviS Duck, (A. ferruffinea,) the' Harlequin Garrot, {A. histrionica,) and 

 the gaudy Shoveler, (A. clypcata,) have all occurred. It is only a few 

 winters since a most beautiful specimen of the Harlequin was shot there by 

 a rabbit-catcher, who, I believe, for the sake of a very paltry sum more than 

 he was offered on the spot, sent it, like the other rarity already spoken of, 

 away south. The Shieldrake, {A. tadorna,) and the Eider Duck,*^' (A. 

 malUssima,) are also occasional visitors. Although there are some excellent 

 localities, that is to appearance, for the Shieldrake breeding in the neighbourhood 

 of Strathbeg, I have never met with them, nor have I ever heard of their 

 doing so. Other visitors, however, may yet make the discovery. 



A specimen, either of the Smew, or White headed Duck, [Mergus alhtllus,) 

 or Hooded Merganser, (if. cucullatus,) was killed in the winter of 1821, but 

 unfortunately it was destroyed by a dog. From the description given, I have 

 no doubt but it was a Smew. The attractive and pretty piebald Goosander, 

 (M. merganser,) and the wary Red-breasted Merganser, {M. serrator;) the 

 former frequent, not so the latter. 



Thus ends the Ducks and the Duck species, and brings us to quite a 

 diflFerent class, namely, that of the Podiceps or Grebes, which is, I must say, 

 very limited. Three species are however recorded, which are the Tippet, 

 {Podiceps cristatus,) the Red-necked or Dusky Grebe, (f. ruhricollis,) and the 

 Little or Black-chinned Grebe, (P. minor.) This last, I am told, has been 

 known to breed there. 



* I have just learned from a gentleman in Peterhead that the Eider Duck now breeds near 

 that town. This being the case, we may yet hear of its doing so also on some of the islands 

 of Strathbeg. 



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