300 Mr. Selby on the Quadrupeds and Birds 



their violent outcries and alarm, they evidently had their nest or young, though we were 

 unable to find either. 



59. Scolopax gallinago, Common Snipe. 



Is very abundant in all the moory and marshy tracts. 



60. S. gallinula. Jack Snipe. 



The gamekeeper of the Tongue district assured us that the jack snipe breeds in Suther- 

 land aimost every year, and that he had obtained the eggs, as well as young, in some bog- 

 gy ground, about two miles from Tongue. He shewed such an intimate knowledge of 

 the bird, as to do away with any impression upon our minds of a mistake as to the species. 

 Sir William Jardine accompanied him to a spot where he had frequently seen them in 

 summer, but he was not so fortunate as to meet with any. The situation and ground was, 

 however, apparently exactly suited to their habits. In winter it is plentiful in the lower 

 springs. 



61. Tringa variabilis, Dunlin or Purre. 



In the summer or dunlin plumage we found the common purre abundant upon the mar- 

 gins of all the lochs. The nest is usually placed under the shelter of some tuft or bush, 

 removed a short distance from the usual water-line of the loch. 



62. Crex pratensis, Meadow Crake or Corn Crake. 



Is very abundant in all the lower straths, where cultivation exists. 



63. Fulica atra, Common Coot. 



Was heard among the reeds which skirt the southern side of Loch Douliah, about two 

 miles and a half from Lairg, 



64. Hamatopus ostralegus, Oyster Catcher. 



Common upon the margin of Loch Shin, where it breeds, and upon most of the salt-water 

 friths and lochs, such as those of Eribol, Tongue, &c. 



65. Vanelhis cristatus, Common Lapwing. 

 Very abundant throughout the count)'. 



66. Charadrius pluvialis, Golden Plover. 



Plentiful throughout the county, but particularly abundant in the district between Lairg 

 and Tongue, the parish of Durness, Scourie, &c. Sutherland appears to be the great breed- 

 ing station of this species. 



67. C. Hiaticula, Ring Plover or Ring Dottrel. 



Upon the margins of all the lochs and larger streams very numerous. 



68. Anasferus (Segetum, auct.), Bean-goose. 



We were agreeably surprised to find that the bean-goose annually breeds upon several 

 of the Sutherland lakes. The first intimation we received of this interesting fact was at 

 Lairg, where we were informed that a few pairs bred upon some islands about twelve miles 

 up Loch Shin. We accordingly took boat the following morning, and upon arriving at the 

 place, discovered a single pair, attended by four or five young goslings. None were ob- 

 tained, as the old birds, being wild, escaped seemingly uninjured, although repeatedly fired 



