Zoology of the Outer Hebrides, 13 



ay in August, but was not observed elsewhere, nor was the 

 nest found. When crossing the sand fords between South 

 Uist and Benbecula in the end of July along with Mr. D. 

 MacGillivray, we fell in with a large flock and several smaller 

 ones of Limosa 7'ufa^, Bar-tailed Godwit, which allowed us to 

 ride up sufficiently close to enable me to identify the species ; 

 they were probably on their way southward, after bi-eeding 

 in high northern latitudes, ^colopax Gallinago, the Common 

 Snipe, is abundant in all the bogs ; Rallus aquaticus, the Water 

 Rail, occurred in North and South Uist ; Grex pratensis, the 

 Land Rail, was plentiful during the summer, frequenting at 

 first the dense patches of Iris Pseudacorus in the marshy 

 grounds, and resorting to the corn when that is tall enough to 

 afford shelter. Gallinula cJiIoropus and Fidica atra, the Water 

 Hen and Coot, are both pretty common in such of the lakes 

 as have the margin furnished with aquatic plants. Lobipes 

 hyperboreus, the Red-necked Phalarope, occurs in small num- 

 bers about Scolpig in North Uist, and in the adjacent island 

 ofVallay. In the latter situation it may usually be found 

 about the drains and ditches in the neighbourhood of the 

 Manse, where it was first observed by Mr. D. Macrae. 



Anser brachyrhynchus, the Pink-footed or Short-billed 

 Goose, breeds in great numbers in the small islands of the 

 sound of Harris, as well as those of the interior of North Uist. 

 This bird was seen in flocks so late as the beginning of May, 

 was observed in pairs among the islands in the sound about 

 the middle of the month, and had the young fully fledged and 

 strong upon wing about the end of July ; it had again col- 

 lected into flocks by the beginning of August, for late in the 

 night of the 8th of that month, as I was riding in great haste 

 to overtake the ferry-boat for Berneray, while crossing the 

 sandy margin of a shallow pool, I came suddenly upon a flock 

 of geese amounting to several hundreds, judging from their 

 cries, which startled my horse, and I may add, myself also. 

 A large flock of Brent Geese, Bernicla Brenta, passed over 

 head from the southward on the 2nd of May, while I was en- 

 gaged collecting Crustacea on the reef at Berneray : this is 

 the latest date of their occurrence, for I could never hear of 

 any remaining to breed. Tadorna Vidpanser, the Shieldrake, 

 breeds in all the islands of the sound of Harris, with the ex- 

 ception of Berneray, Pabbay, and Shellay, and is plentiful in 

 many parts of Benbecula and the two Uists. The eggs at 

 first have a slight tinge of pink, which they soon loose. Anas 



* The supposed species L. Meycri, Leis., is plentiful along the Frith of 

 Forth in many places ; I shot several specimens last autumn at Mussel- 

 burgh. 



