40 BRITISH BIRDS. 



difficult to find, being often well concealed in rank heather, 

 and at some considerable distance from the loch side, 

 while they are not infrequently on islands. A clutch taken 

 in Sutherland on June 17th consisted of seven eggs, 

 advanced in incubation. They were buffish-white in 

 colour, the down almost black, and the feathers with no 

 distinguishing marks, but the nest and eggs were un- 

 mistakable (Plate II., Figs. 15, 15). 



Velvet Scoter {QiJ. fusca). — I spent six weeks in Nor- 

 way in an unsuccessful endeavour to discover the nest of 

 this species. Although plenty of birds were seen, it is 

 doubtful if they were breeding in that particular year, 

 and I was driven away by snow on July 11th. There 

 appears to be some evidence that a pair or two have bred 

 in the Highlands of Scotland, but at present proof is 

 wanting. The eggs are larger than those of the Common 

 Scoter, and rather lighter in colour. The down is also 

 lighter and larger. I am indebted to Mr. Witherby for 

 the loan of a beautiful nest taken in Lapland, and to Mr. 

 Ogilvie-Grant for the feathers depicted (Plate 11. , 

 Figs. 16, 16). 



Goosander {Mergus merganser). — In certain parts of 

 Scotland, especially the Garve district, this bird is not 

 uncommon in the breeding season. Nesting much earlier 

 than the Red-breasted Merganser, the Goosander has its 

 clutch of from nine to twelve, or even fifteen, eggs, 

 generally complete by the first week in May, and on the 

 28th of that month I have found birds hatched a few 

 days. Any kind of hole seems to suit the nesting require- 

 ments of this duck. In the experience of the writer, 

 nests have been found in holes in trees, clefts in rocks, 

 and under peat hags. The eggs are creamy- white ; the 

 down is pearl-grey, and the feathers are white, with a 

 tinge of yellow. The only other duck's eggs like those of 

 this species are the Sheld-duck's, but the feathers in two 

 nests are so different as to at once preclude the possibility 

 of mistake (Plate II., Figs. 17, 17). 



Red-breasted Merganser {M. serraior). — Much more 



