242 



BIRDS. 



whilst the earliest in Tay seems to be claimed by that which was 

 recorded from Loch Butterstoiie in the Ibis for 1875. From 

 Forfarshire I have the following information, which I quote from my 

 first article as given in the footnote {ante^ p. 240) : " In Forfar and 

 Strathmore, as I was informed by Mr. Henderson, of Dundee {in lit.j 

 27th August 1895), for many years it was only a \\anter visitant, 

 but" — Mr. Henderson continues — " I have had it frequently brought 

 for stuffing in the summertime during the last eight years, mostly 

 from the Forfar district. The estate of Inshewan, where there are 

 several small lochs, is a favourite place, but there are many more 

 small lochs frequented by it." I am acquainted with the estate 

 of Inshewan, and shot there in August-September 1886, but all the 

 time I was there I never met with a single specimen. 



Up to 1895 Mr. George Sim, vho had traversed a great portion 

 of the adjoining county of Kincardine, had never met with the bird 

 anywhere {in lit., 17th August 1895). 



I need not, I think, go any further into its past dispersal here, 

 but refer my readers for more minute details in the papers quoted. 



Of its present distribution it is sufficient to say that it is one of 

 our commonest Ducks on all suitable lochs throughout the central and 

 east portions, and just outside the south-west boundary of the area 

 in Forth. So far as my information goes it is, however, only appear- 

 ing on Loch Tay and in the northern parts and in the north-west as 

 a T\inter visitor, and that not in any great numbers as yet, whatever 

 the future of the bird may be in the west. 



I believe that the nature of these more rugged lochs in the west 

 are not so likely to entice it to break away to that side of the country, 

 at least not in great force. (See my remarks in the second of my 

 previous papers.) 



Obs. — Of the earlier accounts of its nesting on Loch Leven, I feel 

 that I must leave these to be verified, if possible, by Mr. AV. Evans, 

 only adding here, that to me the evidence shown is insufficient and 

 rests upon too insecure foundations. Personally, I am willing to 

 believe it possible, but the absence of more detailed proof must make 

 me adhere to my rule. This much I will admit, and even be inclined 

 to support : I do believe Loch Leven to have been one of the earliest 

 amongst our Scottish lochs which were occupied by the species as 

 breeding haunts. Beyond this I am not inclined to go. 



At the present time it is an abundant species on the lochs about 

 Forfar and Guthrie, and a fair number remain and breed there. 



Finally, in trying to trace the dispersal of the species in Britain, 



