n6 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



The bird was a <$ , in very good condition and plumage. — 

 T. G. Laidlaw, Duns. 



The "Display" of the Goosander. — A number of Goos- 

 anders (Mergits merganser) winter regularly in Linlithgow Loch, 

 seldom arriving before early November, and departing for the most 

 part in March and April, by which time all, or nearly all, are paired 

 off. As in some other ducks, the so-called " nuptial performance " in 

 the present species is apparent long previous to the breeding-season, 

 commencing in November immediately after the arrival of the birds, 

 although more frequent and fully developed in later weeks. Of the 

 various attitudes and actions shown by the drakes under the 

 influence of sexual emotion, the following are the most striking : — 

 (i) Whilst swimming rapidly in company with one or more females, 

 the male with great suddenness and rapidity stretches his head and 

 neck perpendicularly upwards to their fullest extent, the bill gaping ; 

 and thence with equal abruptness assuming his ordinary demeanour. 

 (2) The second performance bears considerable resemblance to one 

 of the Mallard's, the bird raising the fore part of the body in the 

 water, and simultaneously curving the neck so that the bill is 

 directed in towards the breast. (3) At intervals, while swimming, 

 the drake executes a spasmodic movement with the feet, a jet of 

 water being thrown upwards — the action having the effect of 

 propelling him forward a foot or two with a sudden jerk. These 

 three performances are gone through in no fixed order, and all are 

 not always to be seen on the same occasion. The only audible 

 vocal accompaniment consists of a low, soft, croaking note, con- 

 tinuously emitted. Elevation of the head-feathers in the form of a 

 crest, slight bowings and head-tossings, are amongst the other 

 actions shown during "display." Initiation by one particular bird 

 is frequently the signal for other drakes to hurry to the spot, the 

 more distant ones rising on the wing in their haste to participate, 

 until a little band is collected, the individuals swimming to and fro 

 in close company. Rivalry is not greatly in evidence, but 

 occasionally a bird will lunge out with his powerful bill at a 

 neighbour, or even pursue him over the surface of the water for 

 a short distance ; the females sometimes repel the unwelcome 

 advances of a male in a similar way. While more distinctive of the 

 drake, " display " in the Goosander, as in the case of the Mallard, is not 

 peculiar to that sex, but it appears to be infrequent in the female ; 

 I have only observed actions 2 and 3 in the latter. — S. E. Brock, 

 Kirkliston. 



Smew in Elginshire. — It may interest the readers of the 



