The Summer Birds of the Summer Islands, 51 



14. Anser cinereus, Meyer. 



(Grey-lag Goose.) 



Common. We observed 7 on Glasleacbeg, 11 on Priest 

 Island, and 5 on Eilean Dubh. Their droppings were 

 found in great profusion scattered all over these islands, 

 and this circumstance shows that they are regularly visited 

 by this species. Mr Harvie- Brown considers it probable 

 that this bird nests on Glasleacbeg. On the other hand, 

 Mr Bonar, a ghillie, and myself searched Glasleacbeg, as 

 well as Priest Island, most carefully, but failed to discover 

 any traces of its nest, and I am strongly of opinion that 

 the Grey -lag Goose does not nest on any of the islands, and 

 that it only resorts to them for feeding purposes. 



15. Tadorna cornuta (S. G. Gmel). 



(Common Sheld Duck.) 



One observed close to the shore while sailing near Tanera 

 More. Mr Bonar is of opinion that he saw a pair with 

 two young off Eilean Fada Beg, but as he had no binoculars 

 with him, he is not quite certain of his identification. 



16. Anas boscas, Linn. 



(Mallard.) 



Mr Harvie-Brown observed one on Priest Island in July 

 1884, where one was also seen by Mr Bonar in September 

 1895. 



17. Mergus merganser, Linn. 



(Goosander.) 



An egg, which had probably been hatched, was found by 

 Mr Bonar on Glasleac Mor, and the inference is that the 

 Goosander breeds on that island. I saw no trace of the 

 bird on any of the islands visited by me, but it is common 

 on the adjacent mainland. 



