64 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



under long heather, a very shght excavation sufficing 

 in each case ; the males of the sitting birds Avere 

 rarely to be seen on the fresh water, generally living 

 on the shore in a small bay not far from Westness 

 House. One nest I found was in a rabbit burrow, 

 and the eggs, eight in number and in different 

 stages of incubation, were scattered about the mouth 

 of the hole — I could not discover by what means. 

 When hatched they take immediately to the sea, 

 accomfjanied by both parents. 



Wild Duck (Anas boschasj. Very connnon and 

 resident, in winter assembling in large flocks on the 

 shores of the smaller holms, where they live unmo- 

 lested. They seem to live mostly in the salt water, 

 except during the breeding season. When watching 

 small numbers of these birds, I have noticed that 

 the most of them were paired even in winter ; per- 

 haps they pair for life. When young, or in the case 

 of the old birds before they have got qviite strong 

 on the wing after the moult, no bird keeps closer to 

 a bit of cover of reeds or rushes ; a dog alone can 

 then jDut them out. The mallards moult long before 

 the ducks, the latter being able to fly as long as the 

 young ones require her care. 



Teal ( Quevfpiedida crecca). A few aj^pear during 

 winter and spring, but are not very conunon. 



Widgeon (Mareca Penelojje). Fairly common in 

 "winter and spring, keeping mostly to the salt water, 

 and feeding among the sea-w^are. 



Pochard (Falicjula ferina). Four pochard drakes 

 remained on Loch Wasbister the greater part of 

 June and July, but only one remained until August, 

 and this a wounded bird unable to fly. There were 

 no ducks with the drakes. xV few appeared again in 

 the autumn. 



GoLDEN-p]YE (Clamjula Glaucion). Connnon on Loch 

 Wasbister, remaining until late in the spring, when 

 I have seen it on the hill lochs, probably on its Avay 

 north. Being fond of feeding and diving close to the 



