Mr Evans on the Birds of the Island of Eigg. 441 



observed on the shore near the Cave. Eecorded, from the 

 island, in Gray's " Birds of the West of Scotland." Seen 

 also by Mr Dalgleish. 



58. Scolopax rusticola (Woodcock). — Plentiful in hard 

 winters. Mr Dalgleish was informed by Mr Scott, who has 

 since repeated the statement to me, that he had killed as 

 many as sixteen or seventeen in a day in the winter of 

 1878-79. Woodcocks breed in some numbers on the main- 

 land between Fort William and Arasaig. Close to the latter 

 place I came upon a pair, which, from the way they flew 

 around, uttering all the while a curious cry resembling the 

 syllables, croak, croaJc, croak- oak-a-creeJc, doubtless had a brood 

 close by. 



59. Scolopax gallinago (Common Snipe). — Two or three 

 were seen by me. I had an excellent view of one which, 

 in response to an imitation of its call, approached within 

 three yards of where I was seated. Included also in Joass' 

 list. 



60. Scolopax gallimdct (Jack Snipe). — My only authority 

 for recording this species is Mr Joass, in whose list it is 

 included. 



61. Crex p7'atensis (Corncrake). — Very common. When 

 sitting on the garden wall at the inn, I frequently saw one 

 moving about among the short grass in the adjoining field. 

 Each step was accompanied by a forward motion of the head, 

 the familiar " creek, creek," being at same time uttered. 

 A nest, which I found, was placed amid a patch of the 

 yellow iris, and contained the remains of eight eggs newly 

 sucked, evidently the work of a rat. 



62. Ballus aquatictcs (Water Kail). — Three were killed in 

 the winter of 1878-79. This information was communicated to 

 Mr Dalgleish by Mr Scott. Mr Joass mentions in his letter 

 of 26th January 1880, previously referred to, that he fre- 

 quently saw them that winter. 



63. Tadorna vu^oanser (Shelldrake). — Two or three were 

 seen flying along the shore, opposite the Cave, having come 

 from the direction of Castle Island, where, I understand, 

 they breed. 



64. Anas hoschas (Wild Duck or Mallard). — I saw a pair 



