THE BIRDS OF ION A AND MULL. 245 



THE WHITK-FRONTED GOOSE. 



My friend C. M'Vean got one specimen last winter (?) at lona, which 

 he had stuffed in Edinburgh. 



THE BARNICLE GOOSE. 

 Gaelic, Geadh blar white-faced goose. 



This is by far the most plentiful of our geese, and the kind we 

 most frequently shoot. It winters on the small islets in company with 

 the grey geese, and continually visits the larger islands to graze on 

 certain favourite spots, where they may be either stalked or waited for. 

 The afternoon and evening is the usual time for looking for them, 

 though they may be there at any hour of the day. The great care of 

 the stalker is to keep out of sight of the sentinel, who is easily known 

 by his erect neck, which never moves, not even to pluck one beakful 

 of grass. I would rather expose myself in full view of the entire flock 

 feeding, if obliged to cross a bad bit in the line of stalk, for the sentry's 

 whole senses are concentrated in his duty, while the others are only 

 bent on their food, and will allow a slight suspicion of danger to pass. 

 For a moment they may cease feeding and then go on again, as if they 

 thought it was not their business to give the alarm. It is like the 

 story of the naval officer, who, being aroused in his hammock with the 

 announcement that the ship was sinking, replied, "Well, what's the 

 use of disturbing me? It's not my watch." The barnicle are plump 

 little geese, and most excellent eating. 



THE BRENT GOOSE. 



Is but a straggler among our islands, and is easily shot, as such 

 birds usually are, seeming dazed and out of their reckoning, and are 

 commonly in bad condition. At Lochgilphead a party of half-a-dozen 

 would stay a day or two in early spring in the loch ; they were easily 

 approached, but the birds were in good condition. The brent is as 

 rare on the shores of Argyll as the barnicle is abundant. 



THE SHEILDRAKE. 



Gaelic, Craigag, from craig and geadh rock goose. Norse, Graf -and 

 burrowing duck. 



This handsome, showy bird is common at all times. Its nest is 

 frequently found on the smaller islets, in rocky holes, or holes scooped 



R 



