THE PINTAIL AS A SCOTTISH BREEDING SPECIES 39 
place in June 1899. The first actual breeding, however, was not 
recorded till 1905, when a pair of Pintail and six young birds were 
seen in Dunrossness (4.S.V.Z, 1906, p. 53), while in 1908 four 
or five pairs bred in the same locality (4.S.V.7., 1908, 184). 
ORKNEY. 
Winter visitor, and breeds. 
Robert Dunn describes the Pintail as “tolerably plentiful in 
Orkney, particularly in the island of Sanda,” and adds that it 
“leaves these islands early in the spring” (Orztthologis?'s Gutde to 
Orkney and Shetland, p. 93).  Harvie-Brown and Buckley say 
(A Fauna of the Orkney Islands, p. 173) that it seems to be a 
very rare species on the mainland of Orkney, but occurs, perhaps, 
not uncommonly in Sanday during winter. 
Before 1908 a few pairs had begun to breed in Orkney (British 
Birds (mag.), vol. ii, p. 21), while in t910 Messrs Hale and 
Alworth found it “increasing in numbers; most probably has 
nested in Orkney for two or three years, if not longer, but this 
year we found several nests with eggs, and also caught some ten or 
twelve young on June 4th” (British Birds (mag.), vol. iv., p. 221). 
Since then the Pintail has continued to breed, and has become well 
established in these islands. 
OuTER HEBRIDES. 
A local winter visitor ; breeds. ' 
This bird has increased as a winter visitor to these islands in 
recent years. In 1902 a brood of Pintail with six young is recorded 
from South Uist (4.8.4.4, 1902, p. 210), and Mr Donald Guthrie 
CSCO NOt. O19.) ps 160) Says) sca tew sesh One Enis island.” 
Writing in 1918 Mr F.S. Beveridge says (Scot. Vat., 1919, p. 17): 
“‘Supposed to breed at Balranald, but I have never seen nest or 
eggs from any part of North Uist.” Confirmation of breeding on 
this island is therefore much wanted, and the only really satisfactory 
nesting record from the Outer Hebrides seems to be that from 
South Uist. 
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS AND SKYE. 
Has bred. The status of the Pintail in this area is obscure, 
and information on the subject is much to be desired. 
Skye.—In the Fauna of the North-west Highlands and Skye, 
p- 232, Mr Macpherson records having watched a pair of Pintail 
on Dhu Loch, Glendale, on 15th April 1889. They apparently 
