BIRDS OF THE COUNTY. 85 



rarely. I saw a pair close to Loch Naver in the month of 

 June : they evidently had a nest not far from the spot. 



The varieties of water-fowl are very numerous, and no 

 doubt the county is visited by nearly every known European 

 species at different seasons. 



114. The Common Wild Swan, and 



115. Bewick's Sican, are not uncommon during the winter. 

 Their appearance in any of the sea-lochs, such as Loch 

 Erriboll, is considered to foretell severe weather. 



116. The Grey Lai/ Goose breeds in Loch Maddie, Loch 

 Laighal, Loch Urigil, &c. ; but I am sorry to see that these 

 fine birds have every chance of being entirely driven away 

 from their haunts. 



117. Tbe Bean Goose breeds on Loch Shin. 



118. The White-fronted Goose is a winter visitor, and 

 the rarest and handsomest species that frequents this 

 country. 



119. The Brent Goose comes to most of the inlets of the sea 

 in immense numbers during the winter : it is one of the best 

 wild-fowl for the table. 



120. The Bernide Goose, though an occasional visitor, is 

 much more rare than the last-named species. The brent 

 goose is more frequent on the east coast, while the bernicle 

 keeps to the western side. of the county. 



121. The Sheldrake breeds very commonly about the sandy 

 parts of the coast. 



122. The Pintail, a very beautiful bird, visits this county 

 in the winter. 



123. The Common Mallard is everywhere to be found ; as 

 is its miniature likeness, 



124. The Teal, during the whole year. 



125. The Widgeon breeds in a few localities, for instance, 

 near Loch Naver : in the winter it is one of the most 

 numerous of all wild-fowl. 



126. The Eider Duck breeds on some islands at the en- 

 trance of the Kyle of Tongue. 



127. The Xing DUCK is seen in the same district, but only 

 rarely. 



128. The Velvet Duck is in abundance during the winter 

 on the east coast. 



129. The Common Pochard, 



130. The Scaup Duck, 



131. The Golden Eye, are all common during the winter ; 



