158 



RED-THROATED DIVER. (SUMMER). 

 Case 226. 



The Red -Throated Diver is common during 

 the nesting season in the north of Scotland and in 

 many of the adjacent islands. This species appears 

 to be more plentiful where the country is flat, with 

 small marshy pieces of water, than in the hill lochs 

 which are the true home of its relative the Black 

 Throat. It is consequently most numerous among 

 the " floes "* which abound in the central part of 

 Caithness. 



To state that the note of this bird is pleasing 

 to the ear would scarcely be correct. I have 

 seldom heard anything more melancholy than its 

 dismal cries, which are frequently repeated both 

 before and during the continuance of rough and 

 stormy weather. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 Strathmore in Caithness in June, 1868. 



ARCTIC SKUA (IMMATURE). 

 Case 227. 



The barred specimen in the present case is 

 probably in its second year ; the two dark birds are 

 without doubt but three or four months' old. 



They were shot at sea off the Bass Rock in 

 September, 1874. 



See " Rough Notes," Vol. III., Plates 43 and 44. 



HERRING GULL. (SUMMER). 

 Case 228. 



From my own observations I should be of 

 opinion that the farmer rather than the game- 



* Flat tracks of moor with still deep black pools of water. 



