BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 95 



and flanks ash-grey, except secondaries and primaries, 

 which are white and lead-grey respectively. Throat 

 white, breast and under parts tinted with buff. 

 Legs and feet orange-red. 



Situation and Locality. Holes in trees, clefts 

 in rocks, holes amongst the exposed roots of trees, 

 on ledges of rock, under the cover of bushes, on 

 small islands, in fresh-water lochs, on the banks 

 of streams and lochs, in forests in the northern 

 Highlands. No absolute proof of the bird's nesting 

 in the British Isles was forthcoming until as late 

 as 1871. 



Materials. Depend somewhat upon position; 

 those in trees are said to have none except the 

 decayed wood, and down from the bird's own body, 

 whilst in other situations liberal quantities of dead 

 weeds, dry grass, and small roots and down are 

 said to be used. 



Eggs. Six to twelve. Creamy-white. Size 

 about 2-7 by 1-85 in. 



Time. April and May. 



Remarks. Migratory, b.-ing principally a winter 

 visitor, but a few remaining to breed. Note : a low 

 plaintive whistle. Local and other names : Dun 

 Diver, Saw Bill, Jacksaw, Sparling Fowl. Sits 

 close. 



GOOSE, GREY-LAG. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length thirty-five 

 inches. Bill of medium length, fairly straight, and 

 pink flesh-colour, except on the tip of each man- 

 dible, where it is white ; irides brown ; head, back 

 of neck, and upper portion of back, ash-brown : the 

 feathers of the last bordered with a lighter tinge ; 

 wings lead-grey on the portions nearest the back, 



