248 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



THE GAD WALL. 



The only specimen I ever met with was sent me by C. M'Vean 

 from Barra island in the autumn of 1863. It is now in the collection 

 of Captain Orde of Kilmory, who exhibited it at a meeting of the 

 British Ornithologists' Union in London the same year. 



THE RED-HEADED POCHARD. 



Though well known to us, is not a very frequent or abundant 

 species. It appears from time to time in the depth of winter upon 

 some of the fresh-water lochs, where it is very confiding and easily shot 

 for a few days, but quickly grows shy, and, if much disturbed, leaves 

 altogether. I don't remember meeting with it on salt water. 



THE SCAUP. 



A much more maritime duck than the last, and a very regular 

 winter resident, though not very abundant ; is often killed on the coast 

 or on fresh water. 



THE RED-CRESTKD POCHARD. 



Only one specimen, a beautiful male, ever came into my possession. 

 It was sent by Captain M'Dougall of Lunig, and was shot on a fresh- 

 water loch in Craignish, January 7, 1862, when in company with some 

 golden eyes. Sir William Jardine, in The Naturalists' Library, can 

 give no instance of its capture in Scotland, and describes the bird from 

 Yarrel, who first noticed it in Britain. My brother-in-law, who was 

 returned on leave from India, recognised it as one of the most abundant 

 species which he was in the frequent habit of shooting, and is called 

 the lal-seer, red-head. The common teal, widgeon, and gadwall were 

 the only others of our ducks which he was acquainted with in the East. 



THE GOLDEN EYE. 



Norwegian, Knipa. 



Is common, though not very abundant, both on the seashore and on 

 fresh water. It is truly a sea duck in its disregard for breakers and hor- 

 rible surf -beaten, iron-bound coasts, swimming securely on the bosom 

 of monstrous waves, diving to avoid their curling crests. They are 

 usually in little parties of about two or three males, with about double 

 their number of females and immature birds in the morillon stage. 



