6970 Birds. 



reached the arm of the tree alluded to, on which it deposited a good 

 deal of rubbish. A female wild duck built her nest, a few years 

 afterwards, amongst the debris thus left, and succeeded in rearing 

 a brood of thirteen young ones. Neither nest nor bird, though 

 known of by some salmon-fisliers who had a station close by, were 

 disturbed. One morning the female was observed by these men to 

 leave her nest and fly up and down the water in an unusual manner. 

 Presently she was joined by the male, and both disappeared beneath 

 a bank a little above where the nest was. The fishermen, who 

 had watched them, observed the female reappear alone, and, after 

 flying up and down once or twice, again settled down on the water, 

 just below the tree which contained the nest. After sailing about for 

 a few minutes, she was heard to give a " quack," when down went 

 something into the water, and presently a young one was seen by her 

 side. Away she swam with it to the bank referred to, consigning it 

 to the charge of the male ; after which she returned, and, having 

 again sailed about for a short time, gave another " quack," when 

 down came another youngster, which she also led away to the bank. 

 In this way she continued until all were safely removed, never giving 

 more than one " quack," and never carrying more than one young 

 one at a time ; nor did she return after taking away the thirteenth. 



Garganey {A. querquedula). Two specimens of this species were 

 shot in December, 1840; and one is said to have been obtained at 

 Cullen, in the spring of 1841. 



Teal {A. crecca). Occasionally met with in winter. 



Wigeon {A. Penelope). One of our rarest duck visitors. A splendid 

 male specimen was killed by H. A. Rannie, Esq., of Boyndie, near 

 his residence, in September, 1853. 



American Wigeon {A. americana). A mutilated male specimen 

 of this rare duck, shot on the Burn of Boyndie, in January, 1841, was 

 for many years in my possession. 



Scaup Duck {A. marila). Pretty frequent during winter. 



Tufted Duck {A.fuligula). Very rare. 



Goldeneye [A. clangula). A regular winter visitor, generally coast- 

 wise, but they are also met with on mill-dams many miles inland. 



Longtailed Duck [A. glacialis). Abundant, but always keeping 

 near the coast. 1 have shot them when in their full breeding dress, 

 which gives them quite a diflferent appearance. In spring they are 

 very clarnorous, pursuing each other through the water, and diving 

 and skipping about like Merry Andrews. The noise they make on 

 such occasions is so loud that I have heard it, on a still morning, 



