502 ANSER FERUS. 
far from a loch, and again within two or three feet of the water’s 
edge, but generally they are on islets either in the sea or in fresh 
water. It would be difficult to find anything more beautiful than 
the little islets in some of the highland lochs to the lover of nature 
in general; but to an ornithologist they are surprisingly so. None 
have made greater impression upon me than two on a retired piece of 
water in Sutherlandshire [§ 5398]. They were very small, rising 
up somewhat steeply, and were covered with long heather and other 
plants bedded in the most luxuriant moss. In each were two or 
three little trees, and in each was a huge nest of the Sea-EHagle, fixed 
so near the ground that a child could see into it—one nest some 
years old, the other repaired that season. Hooded Crows built in 
the branches over the newer nest, aud in spite of the frequent visits 
of the Eagles, a Wild Duck had its eggs not many yards off, and 
Geese bred there regularly. The other islet [§ 5397] had been 
burnt several years before to dislodge a fox, and now its bright 
young heather again formed an excellent cover. <A pair of Black- 
throated Divers crying on the surface of the loch, two Wild Geese 
flying round and round, and an old Eagle with its broad white tail 
slowly wafting its way between me and the neighbouring mountain, 
while the great nest was couspicuous from every side, made it 
altogether as delicious a scene as [ could hope often to enjoy. I had 
not walked many paces when a Grey Goose fluttered from between 
my feet among the heather into the water; not looking at all a large 
bird, and not getting up with any great commotion. There were 
at present only two eggs in a nest made of old withered grass, like 
others which I afterwards saw. I gave Mr. Newton one or two of 
my duplicates of this bird’s eggs from Sutherlandshire, which he will 
be glad, I am sure, to lend to you. My impression is that they are 
larger than the eggs of the Bean-Goose. 
[The foregoing, containing the results of Mr. Wolley’s experience, given 
below in some detail, was written from Muoniovara, 2 February, 1855, for 
Mr. Hewitson’s use, and the greater part was printed in the third edition of 
his work (ii. pp. 383, 384)—the chief omission being the passages of a 
personal nature which Mr. Wolley, out of regard to the feelings of those then 
living, considered it would be inexpedient then to publish, and marked in the 
margin as being intended for Mr. Hewitson’s private information only. Their 
publication now, when all concerned have passed away, can hurt no one here 
named, and they will help to explain how the confusion which so long existed 
arose. It was unquestionably caused by the unlucky failure of the party of 
naturalists who visited Sutherland in the summer of 1884 to procure an adult 
specimen of the Wild Goose which they found breeding in that country. The 
party consisted of Sir William Jardine, and his brother John, Dr. Greville, 
o 
