96 MISS CONSTANCE A. HINXMAN ON 
an equal fate at the hands of the keepers, though the latter 
is rarely guilty of the blood of anything larger than a mouse. 
These two species hold their own in spite of much persecu- 
tion, though in decreasing numbers. 
Coming now to the ducks, we notice the goosander as one 
of the most interesting species. It is by far the largest of 
the diving ducks, and a very handsome bird, the drake 
especially, with its striking black and white plumage and 
crest. The goosander has only been recognised as breeding 
in this country within the last few years, but is now common 
and increasing as a nesting species in the forests of Strath- 
spey. The situation of the nest is a very remarkable one 
for a duck, being placed at the bottom of a hollow tree; the 
hole of entrance and exit sometimes ten or fifteen feet from 
the ground. It is a curious question how the young birds 
manage to get up to the entrance when ready to leave the 
nest. After they have left it, the old birds take their brood 
of eight to ten young ones down the burns, where they play 
great havoc among the trout, one or two families almost 
clearing out a stream as they go. 
The merganser, a closely-allied species, but smaller and 
less noticeable in appearance, nests as high up the Spey as 
Cromdale, and is seen on Loch Insh in the autumn. 
Teal and mallard are abundant. . 
The tufted duck has not yet been recorded in Strathspey, 
though nesting in many parts of Scotland. 
Widgeon are seen on the forest lochs in May, and a pair 
or two very probably breed in the long heather. Other 
ducks, such as the golden-eye, pochard, and pintail, occasionally 
put in an appearance on the lochs and streams in winter. - 
The swans (the mute swan in a semi-wild condition) 
form a very conspicuous feature of Strathspey, as many as 
thirty-six have been seen together on Loch Insh. | They look 
very fine as they fly up and down the valley, and the peculiar 
sound of their wings is heard from a long distance. 
It is unnecessary to speak of the universally distributed 
wood-pigeon. The stock-dove, distinguished from the former 
by its smaller size and absence of the white patches on. its 
neck, is supposed to be extending. its range in Scotland, 
though it is probable that. it has long frequented districts 
