The Birds of Shje. 131 



Cygnus musicus. — Winter visitant, occasionally observed by 

 Captain Macdonald. The Eev. E. Macgregor states : — 

 " Until St Columba's Lake [in North Skye] was drained 

 [1829], it was yearly frequented by large flocks of Swans, 

 which appeared on October 25th, and remained five months " 

 (New Stat. Acct., vol. xiv., p. 250). 



Tadorna cornuta. — Mr E. Gray states that the Sheldrake 

 is numerous in Skye, but it is certainly uncommon on the 

 N.W. coast, though a pair or two often nest on Eilon Isay. 

 Shaw saw a party of Sheldrakes at the mouth of the Skini- 

 din river, Dec. 1885. (I have seen it repeatedly in Eigg, but 

 not in Skye.) They are, however, common in N. Uist, across 

 the Little Minch. One shot near Struan, winter 1885-86. 



Anas hoschas. — Eesident, nesting about the lochs inland. 

 I found a very pretty nest, one year, on the Colbost island. 

 The number of residents does not seem to receive any addi- 

 tion in winter, and Baron Gudin, who is a great Duck- 

 shooter, expressed surprise at the comparatively small quan- 

 tity of Mallard on the Drynoch shootings. 



Qnerquedida crecca. — Winter visitant, less plentiful of late 

 years. The Teal nests on Eilon Isay and in Ulinish. 



Mareca penelope. — Winter visitant, but in comparatively 

 scanty numbers. My latest spring date for the presence of 

 this species is April 19th. [Widgeon frequent Kinloch Har- 

 port during the season {atcct. Eev. J. M'Lean). — J. A. H. B.] 



Glangula glaucion. — Winter visitant, stragglers turning up 

 occasionally. Captain Macdonald shot a young drake on a 

 fresh-water loch in 1884, but considers it scarce in Skye, 

 though numerous on the other side of the Minch. (" Young 

 bird " — i.e., bird of the year.) ^ 



Harelda glacialis. — Winter visitant — Mr Gray says in large 

 numbers. Captain Macdonald has a young female, which he 

 shot out of a small party. Captain Cameron has seen it on 

 Loch Bracadale. 



Somateria mollissima. — Winter visitant of irregular occur- 

 rence. A small party wintered on Dunvegan Loch in 

 1885-86. Two pairs nested on the Ascribs in 1884, but 



1 A party of thirteen Goldeneyes liaimted Loch Waterstein in the spriug of 

 1886, departing at the end of April. 



