The Ornithology of the Dunbar Coast, by Robt. Gray. 53 



named species. The Egyptian Goose — doubtful as a wild 

 bird, or rather certain as an escape — has been shot repeatedly 

 on various parts of the coast. The Hooper and Bewick's 

 Swan have both occurred in many instances, both in adult 

 and immature plumage. The Shelldrake may be said to be 

 well-known, though shy and affecting only the less fre- 

 quented parts of the coast. The Pintail Duck is not alto- 

 gether a stranger in the winter months, and the Teal and 

 Wig eon are both abundant. In some seasons Wigeons are 

 seen in extraordinary numbers in the Tyne estuary. Some 

 years ago the excessive increase of this bird was accounted 

 for, on the supposition that they had been driven from, other 

 estuaries by the punt shooters. There was doubtless some 

 truth in the surmise. The Eider Duck is a somewhat 

 prominent bird on the coast, and is found in all states of 

 plumage. This bird is a native of the district, and resident 

 all the year in limited numbers, and a large accession to the 

 flocks takes place in September. I have seen noble speci- 

 mens shot along the coast — males and females, and young of 

 both sexes — the immature males especially being in interest- 

 ing plumage. My friend, Mr Hardy, writing to me on the 

 20th April, speaks of having counted 26 Eider Ducks off 

 Siccar point, one day during the previous week, and I have 

 seen almost double that number at one time off shore on a 

 fine clear day in December. The King Duck has once been 

 observed, as recorded by the late Dr Nelson, of Pitcox. The 

 Velvet Scoter, Common Scoter, Scaup Duck, and Tufted 

 Duck, are all equally common, and may be seen every 

 winter feeding in mixed flocks over Tyne sands when the 

 tide is full ; and throughout the winter months that beauti- 

 ful and lively bird the Longtailed Duck (Harelda glacialis) 

 may be seen along shore in fair weather, or foul, gathered 

 into groups and attracting attention by their curious gam- 

 bols and shrill and varied notes. I have, as I have else- 

 where recorded, spent many hours in watching the habits of 

 these gay and restless creatures, as they sat at their ease on 

 the heaving water outside the pier heads at the old harbour 

 of Dunbar. The Golden Eye is also a conspicuous duck at 

 the same season, and the Smeiv has several times been taken 

 on Belhaven sands and the mouth of the Tyne. The Red- 

 breasted Merganser is very common in autumn, winter, and 

 spring, especially at the junction of small fresh water streams 



