174 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



GOOSANDER. (IMMATURE.) 

 Case 220. 



By some authors, I imagine, this species must have 

 been confounded with the Merganser, as I was unable 

 to discover a single specimen in parts where it was 

 reported common, though the latter was plentiful. 

 This handsome bird breeds in considerable numbers 

 in several localities in the Northern Highlands. 



The female and young were obtained in the 

 Northern Highlands in July, 1878. The male at that 

 season is conspicuous by his absence. 



ARCTIC SKUA. (MATURE.) 

 Case 221. 



This bird may still be found breeding in many parts of 

 the north of Scotland and the adjacent islands, the 

 nest being placed on the open moor. 



On land, as at sea, the Arctic Skua for the most 

 part procures its food by robbery ; those that I have 

 seen in Strathmore usually persecuting the unfortunate 

 common Gulls that have the misfortune to nest in 

 the same locality. 



The male and female in the case were discovered, 

 on being opened, each to contain four Smolts, or young 

 Salmon. Fish, as a rule, is their diet, but this they 

 occasionally vary with eggs, swallowing, I believe, the 

 whole or the greater part of the shell, as I have often 

 noticed castings composed entirely of egg-shells on the 

 mounds where these birds are in the habit of resting. 



The specimens were obtained in Strathmore, in 

 Caithness, in June, 1869. 



