74 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Pochard {Fuligula ferina). — I killed a pair at flight, from a flock 

 of about a score, at a small loch close to the house here, on 

 14th November 1892. Since that I have seen two flocks of 

 five and six, and a few single birds. 



Scaup {Fuligula marila). — On the 15th October 1892 I shot two, 

 both ducks, on the loch of Garso, at the north end, just getting 

 into mature plumage, the face beginning to show the white well. 

 Since then I have seen and shot a few others, but they are by 

 no means plentiful. 



Tufted Duck {Fuligula cristata). — I have only shot three Tufteds 

 here this season: the first on 10th October 1892, on Garso 

 Loch — there was another with it at the time. The last I killed 

 was on 13th January 1893, a young male; he, along with a 

 fine Golden-eye drake, was in company with six Pochards. 



Golden-eye {Clangula glaucioii). — A few occur. These would appear 

 to keep principally to the Mill Loch, which is a fairly large sheet 

 of water during the winter. These are nearly all females or 

 birds of the year. I have shot four in all, one of them a drake 

 in the third year's plumage. I have only seen one other old 

 drake. 



Long-tailed Duck {Harelda glacialis). — Large numbers. Seem to 

 prefer the sandy bays on the east side of island. Often occur 

 on the lochs in stormy weather. The first I shot, 2nd 

 November 1892, rose off a small loch near the old lighthouse 

 at the extreme north-east corner of the island. I had seen them 

 several weeks before this date. 



Eider Duck {Somateria mollissimd). — Very abundant, occurring 

 in large flocks. Numbers roost on the Seal Skerry. 



Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). — Occurs regularly. 

 The first I recognised for 1892 was on the 14th October, when 

 I saw four swimming in a sandy bay on the south side. Since 

 then I have seen several pairs at different dates. 



Smew {Mergus albellus). — I saw what I believe to be a bird of 

 this species on 1st September 1892, on a loch about the 

 centre of the island. I had a good binocular with me, and 

 watched it for some time. The prevailing black and white 

 plumage and the peculiar head and bill were most distinctive, 

 and I have little doubt in my own mind that the bird was 

 identified unmistakably. There was no cover of any kind, 

 and when I tried to get within shot it took alarm, and after 

 circling once round, went off in a westerly direction. 



Rock Dove {Columba livid). — I have only seen a pair of the Wild 

 Blue Rock here : this was in September 1888, when I shot one, 

 and a friend, Mr. Cook, the other. It is curious their not 



