250 



BIRDS. 



It was reported as haying bred in the upper and more remote 

 parts of the area by 1S8S to Col. Driimmond Hay (possibly referring 

 to my record of the nest on Loch Ericht, where it is now well 

 known). Subsequent information has told us not only of its increase 

 as a breeding species, but also has given us considerable insight into 

 the directions Khence if ho..s spread. 



Most unusual numbers of Goosanders appeared upon oiu- coasts 

 generally in the winter of 1S75-6, remaining there until about April 4, 

 and then disappearing. Mr. E. Gray reports having seen upwards of 

 fifty, all shot on the east coast. "'It would almost appear to have 

 been an invasion,'" says Mr. Gray. A female was shot at Inchyie, 

 and passed into the collection of Mr. Marshall, of Stanley; and Mr. 

 Honi instances a nesting site on an island of the Tay between 

 Dunkeld and Ballinluig in 1879 (?). In 1880, again, Mr. Marshall 

 obtained a male from Taymount shot by Mr. J. Castor. 



By 1890 the Goosanders may be considered to have become 

 abundant as a nesting and resident species, increasing rapidly, and 

 coming always 'hir:n the valleys of the various rivers until they come 

 to be looked upon as a nuisance by keepers and salmon-fishers, dis- 

 turbing the pools and destroying the young fish. They then became 

 a persecuted race to a considerable extent, and continue to be so 

 on many properties and along many salmon beats on Tay and 

 tributaries. 



Thus, on May 23, 1890, the date of the Ee v. H. A. Macpherson's first 

 visit to Mr. D. Dewar at Remony, Mr. Dewar told him he had found 

 two or three nests of the Groosander ; but that those birds often build 

 in holes of trees at such a height that their nests are out of reach, 

 and it is impossible to get at them without a ladder. This is contrary, 

 however, to my own experiences both in Scotland and Xorway, 

 though the fact as stated by Mr. Dewar is not surprising. I have 

 usually found them at a much lower elevation. 



The year after I obtained their nest on Loch Ericht, Col. 

 Drummond Hay saw a young brood on Loch Eannoch, and a female 

 on Loch Luydon. 



In 1892 Mr. Godfrey was surprised to leam how weU known this 

 bird was by name to the inhabitants of the Eannoch district, but we 

 have seen how they have apparently spread rapidly from their earlier 

 cradle in the north and north-west. 



It now becomes hardly worth while to enumerate localities — even 

 if that were possible — but they breed upon the following lochs in the 

 Rannoch district alone — viz. Loch Dubhlach, Loch Eigheach, Loch 



