ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 79 



islet standing away to the N.E., about seven miles 

 long by about half a mile broad. 



My attractions thither lay in the fact of that elegant 

 little bird the red-necked phalarope (Phalaropm 

 hyperboreus) having been known to breed there for 

 many years upon a small reedy loch to the north of the 

 island. This bird is now becoming extremely rare in 

 Britain, and but for the fact of its breeding haunts 

 being somewhat preserved by the proprietor of the 

 island, would soon become entirely extinct. The 

 common shieldrake (Anas tadorna) also breeds here in 

 great numbers, taking up its quarters in the rabbit- 

 holes, from which it ignominiously expels the rightful 

 owners. 



