20 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Brow, and when put up they broke up into six lots, and all chose 

 a fly-line up the Culsetter Marshes to Hillwell, where, standing 

 still, I shot one ; and had the line been observed sooner, I believe 

 six brace could have been got, as they all flew over the same 

 spot, and quite low, against the strong south wind. This was 

 on the 6th October, and many were also in on the ioth. 



Pochard (Fuligula ferina). — In 1891, five were identified clearly. 

 Many more were suspected, but glass was not powerful enough 

 to make sure whether Pochard or Scaup. In 1892, none 

 made certain of. 



Scaup (Fuligula marila). — In 1891, numbers of Scaup were frequent- 

 ing Lochs Spiggie and Brow. Considerable uncertainty about 

 their identity existed until the 29th October, when I secured 

 one out of a lot by the side of Loch Spiggie. There remained 

 then no doubt as to their presence long before this date, and 

 afterwards. 



Tufted Duck [Fuligula cristata). — I find no record of them in 1891, 

 but four were identified in Quendale Bay, 25th September 1892. 

 They certainly are not at present common here. 



Golden-eye {Clangula glaucion). — Common on Lochs Spiggie and 

 Brow, and single old males at times on Loch Hillwell. Also 

 in 1892 equally common. 



Long-tailed Duck (Harelda glacialis). — We do not, curiously 

 enough, find any records of Long-tailed Ducks in 1891. But 

 in 1892 their numbers were very great close in shore. The 

 first seen was a single male sitting on the east point of Loch 

 Spiggie. It is not usual to find this ocean duck on a fresh- 

 water loch. On 17th October, on Wildness Point, between 

 Virkie Voe and Grutness Voe, there were some hundreds, 

 coming pretty close in. Wind, which had been N.E., changed 

 round for a short space to E., and blew pretty strong. On 

 1 8th there were large lots also in West Voe, and in Quen- 

 dale Bay ; and a pretty sight it was to watch them with the 

 glass, ranged in close phalanx ; those packs on the east side 

 showing a preponderance of females, but the flocks in Quen- 

 dale Bay a preponderance of males. Wind by 18th back to 

 N.W., and bitterly cold. 



Common Eider (Somateria mollissimd). — Not seen very abundantly, 

 though said to be seen very plentiful at times in the voes of 

 the west side. Always a few about the Quendale Holms and 

 Bay, and along the Scatness shore. 



Red-breasted Merganser (Mergits serrator). — Five identified 

 flying overhead towards Quendale Bay from Spiggie, on the 

 28th October in 1891. In 1892, several times seen; five in 



