inhabiting the County of Sutherland. 301 



at, and the goslings immediately dived and escaped into the reeds and other herbage. 

 Upon Loch Naver we also found several pairs attended by their young, seemingly about 

 a fortnight or three weeks old, one of which, after a severe chase, we procured. Upon 

 the islands of Loch Laighal, from thirty to forty pairs, we were informed, annually had 

 their nests. We saw several old birds, and the nests that had been used, which are con- 

 cealed in heath upwards of three feet in height, that covers the islands. The eggs were 

 all hatched, and most of the young had betaken themselves to the neighbouring moors, where 

 they Continue till able to fly, secreting themselves, when disturbed, in the highest heather. 

 At Tongue we saw some goslings about a month old (following a hen), which had been 

 hatched from eggs taken at Loch Laighal. We were told that they became nearly as tame 

 as common geese, but refuse to intermix or breed with them. The eggs, from five to se- 

 ven in number are smaller than those of the common goose, but of a similar shape and 

 colour. 



69. Anas boschas, Common Wild Duck or Mallard. 

 Was seen upon most of the lochs and marshy moors. 



70. Mareca penelope, Wigeon. 



As the Wigeon had not previously been detected breeding in Britain, we were much 

 pleased to observe several pairs upon the smaller lochs near Lairg, which, we concluded, 

 had their nests among the reeds and other herbage which grew in their vicinity. We were 

 not so fortunate, however, as to find one here, though diligent search was made, but, after- 

 wards upon one of the islands of Loch Laighal we sprung a female, which we shot from her 

 nest, containing seven eggs. It was placed in the heart of a large rush bush, and was made 

 of decayed rushes and reeds, with a lining of warm down from the bird's body. The eggs 

 were smaller than those of the wild duck, and of a rich cream-white colour. 



71. Fuligula marila, Scaup Pochard. 



A single female was shot by Sir William Jardine, in a small loch between Lock Hope 

 and Eribol; she was attended by a young one, which unfortunately escaped among the 

 reeds. This is the first instance of its breeding in Britain having been ascertained, that I 

 am aware of. 



72. Mergus Merganser, Goosander. 



Two or three birds of this species were seen during the excursion, but no nest or breed- 

 ing station detected. 



73. 31. serrator, Red-breasted Merganser. 



Is very plentiful upon all the lochs. At the time we were in Sutherland few had com- 

 menced incubation. 



74. Podiceps minor, Dabchick or Little Grebe. 



Was met with occasionally upon the smaller lochs during the excursion. 



75. Colymbus glacialis, Northern Diver. 



A single pair was seen in the bay of Balnikiel, mouth of the Durness Frith, both adult 

 birds, and in perfect summer plumage. It is probable that they had their nest upon one 

 of the numerous islets that abound in the bay. 

 VOL. II. 3 N 



