Mr Herhert on the Nesting of the Tufted Buc'k. 73 



countries; (2.) The badness of their climate; and (3.) The 

 want of social and economic wisdom in the upper and 

 middle classes, the former owners of the soil, and their 

 immediate dependants ; and not to the Gaelic language, the 

 possession of the latter tongue in addition to English being, 

 in his opinion, to the advantage rather than otherwise of the 

 people. 



The thanks of the Society were, on the motion of Professor 

 Duxs, awarded to Mr Scot-Skirving for his able and sug- 

 gestive address, and for his services during the term he had 

 occupied the ofi&ce of President. 



11. — Note on the Nestiing of the Tufted Duck (Fuligula cristata) 

 in Scotland. By A. B. Herbert, Esq. 



(specimen exhibited.) 



On the 29th May last a duck's nest was discovered by 

 some Members of this Society on a rocky island in an inland 

 lake in Fifeshire. It contained ten eggs, and the duck was 

 seen rising from the nest as the party approached the island. 

 The eggs and nest, the latter composed of coarse grass, were 

 brought to me the same evening, and I immediately placed 

 them under a hen. Prom the fact of the nest containing 

 very little down, and the eggs being of a dirty cream colour, 

 I at once concluded that the nest was not that of a common 

 wild duck {Anas hoschas). The young birds were hatched in 

 exactly twenty-one days, and were almost black. Every care 

 was taken of the brood, but the weather at the time being 

 cold and wet, five of the ducklings died very soon. The re- 

 maining five lived, and were strong and healthy. They were 

 fed chiefly upon gTeaves and soaked bread, which, however, 

 they would only take when thrown into the water. In about 

 three weeks they were able to devour worms which I. occa- 

 sionally gave them; they then became exceedingly tame, 

 came to my call, and followed me about the garden when 

 they saw me with a spade. Their progress was watched with 

 much interest by Dr M'Bain and myself; and as they acquired 



