242 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



qualities variable, some individnals sitting closely 

 and others lightly, irrespective of the condition of 

 the eggs. 



SANDPIPER, WOOD. 



The appearance of tiiis bird, even as a visitor, 

 is neither frequent nor regular. It has been found 

 breeding with us only twice, at the outside, during 

 the last forty years, so that it does not call for 

 special attention here. 



SCOTER, COMMON. Aho Black Scoter. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 twenty-one inches. Bill of medium length, swollen 

 into a knob at the base, and flattened at the tip. 

 It is black, with the exception of a ridge of yellow, 

 which commences half an inch from the tip and 

 extends to the base. Irides dusky brown. The 

 plumage is deep black all over, somewhat glossy 

 about the head and neck. Legs, toes, and webs 

 dusky, darkest on the last. 



The female lacks the knob on the bill, and her 

 plumage is duller. 



Situation and Localitj/. — A hollow scraped in the 

 ground or some natural declivity, hidden by low, 

 growing shrubs or sheltering heath ; on small islands 

 near lochs and rivers, not far from the sea, in the 

 most northern counties of Scotland. 



Materials. — Twigs, heather, stalks, dead leaves, 

 and dry grass, with an inner lining of down. The 

 tufts are brownish-grey with pale centres, are large, 

 a little darker than those of the Mallard, and 

 much more so than those of the Goosander. 



