334 OUR RARER BIRDS 



fact that it breeds in hollow trees by preference. Failing 

 them a hole in a rock is used instead. The female lays from 

 eight to twelve eggs, creamy -w^hite in colour, devoid of 

 markings, and the nest is warmly lined with a profusion of 

 beautiful grayish-white down of gossamer lightness. The 

 Goosander's nest is one of the richest prizes that can fall to 

 the ornithologist's lot throughout the great and varied bird 

 treasures that favoured Scotland contains. 



