152 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



140. Scaup Duck. Fuligula marila (Lin.). — Occurs sparingly 

 at the Little Ferry in winter. 



141. Black Scoter. OEdemia nigra (Lin.) — Neither this nor 

 the Velvet Scoter appears to be as common as formerly, at least, in 

 one locality, and this, too, since 1870. 



142. Velvet Scoter. OEdemia fusca (Lin.). — I got a fine speci- 

 men which was swimming among the breakers, near the shore, 

 apparently stupified, on April 18th, 1870. They are plentiful out- 

 side the Bar at the Little Ferry. 



143. Golden-eye. Clangula glaucion (Lin.). — Very common in 

 the winter and spring both at sea and on Loch Brora. The old 

 males are, however, very difficult to get, though females and young 

 birds are easily obtained. 



144. Long-tailed Duck. Harelda glacialis (Lin.). — A very com- 

 mon winter visitant, arriving in large flocks. They are very restless 

 birds, almost for ever on the move. 



145. Redbreasted Merganser. Mergux serrator, Lin. — Very 

 common, and resident ; a pair or two being found on most of the 

 larger hill lochs. They are shot down a good deal on account of 

 the mischief they do in the salmon rivers. Ten is the largest 

 number of eggs I have seen in a nest ; the yolk is rather difficult 

 to extract, being so very solid. At times these birds use the same 

 nest as they occupied the previous year, as I took a nest of six eggs, 

 well hidden under some long heather, underneath which were the 

 remains of egg shells of the year before. I saw the old bird, 

 with my glass, come off the nest. 



