444 COLYMBID./E. 



margins of the small lochs that are to be found amid the 

 hills in the island of Hoy. Although we visited every 

 loch in the island, we were not fortunate enough to meet 

 with its egg ; and are indebted to the son of the Rev. 

 Mr. Hamilton, who very kindly presented us with a 

 specimen that he had taken from a nest the preceding 

 summer. He informed us, at the same time, that they 

 were becoming very scarce ; and although he had, at 

 different times, found their eggs, he never saw two in one 

 nest, which is always placed close to the water's edge, and 

 composed merely of a few loose rushes and dried grass 

 that may happen to be near, without any down or feathers 

 whatever." Mr. Robert Dunn finds this species, as Dr. 

 Fleming had previously observed, breeding in Shetland, 

 and in reference to their habits says, " On the banks of 

 the lakes they lay their eggs close to the water's edge, so 

 close, indeed, that the bird can touch the water with its 

 bill while sitting on its eggs ; perhaps these birds have the 

 power of removing their eggs from their proximity to the 

 water ; for were it to be swollen only two or three inches 

 in height the eggs would be destroyed. I have taken their 

 eggs several times, and invariably found them not more 

 than two or three inches from the water's edge. The 

 female lays two eggs, which in general are deposited 

 amongst a few loose stones. The birds are remarkably 

 shy, particularly during the breeding-season, and if any 

 one approaches the lake, instantly leave their nests and 

 take to the water. To procure these birds two or three 

 persons should go together, never less than two; one 

 should secrete himself close to the water, and the other 

 move round to the opposite side, and letting himself be 

 seen, may, by great caution, drive the birds towards the 

 person in ambush. I have practised this method repeatedly 



