90 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



tufts, were then engaged in incubation on a floating 

 islet of matted bog-plants, and in the "moss" that lies 

 to the west of the loch — both spots too soft and dangerous 

 to traverse. But, towards evening, this fact was estab- 

 lished by the females of both species appearing, for a brief 

 spell, to feed on the open water outside. 



My brother Alfred subsequently visited this loch 

 alone, his later experience entirely corroborating the 

 above, as to the nesting of pochard and tufted duck 

 thereon. His notes, moreover, contain a further remark- 

 able accession — namely, that he had satisfied himself 

 that there was local evidence — good, so far as such may 

 ever be accepted — that ivigeon also nested there ; though 

 he had failed to verify the fact for himself. Accordingly, 

 during the present spring, the author twice returned to 

 Roxburghshire to investigate this point — as wigeon, it 

 should be stated, have not, within my knowledge, been 

 proved to nest south of Sutherland. 



Yetholm loch, in 1906, proved a disappointment. 

 Tufted ducks were there, nesting ; but not a sign 

 either of pochard or of wigeon. The pochards had, I at 

 once concluded, been banished thence by the introduction 

 of that abomination to wildfowl — the tame swan. The 

 latter had actually destroyed the floating islet aforesaid, 

 tearing up huge aquatic roots, 10 or 12 feet in length, 

 which were subsequently swept down the Bowmont in 

 winter floods. 



Primside failed, but I presently discovered the refuge 

 of the banished pochards. They had retired to Hoselaw 

 loch, where not less than twenty or thirty pairs (together 

 with an equal number of tufts, and some shovelers) 

 were then breeding. Hoselaw, together with Whitrigg 

 bog near St Boswells, and Hule moss on Greenlaw 



