BIRDS. 
195 
in the year 1877, the eggs having been taken, and both old 
birds shot. 
As this species undoubtedly breeds not uncommonly in 
Caithness, just across the county march, it is fairly to be 
expected it will also be found in Sutherland if looked for ; 
indeed, we ourselves on two occasions in June 1878 thought 
we recognised this duck on a loch not far from Balnacoil. 
Eecorded as often seen at Tongue. Not hitherto recorded 
from the west. 
Only an occasional winter visitor to the Caithness coast, and 
rarer than the preceding species (0. MSS., 1868). 
Mr. L. Dunbar records this species as breeding, having 
taken six eggs and the nest, which are now at Springbank, 
Thurso, along with the female bird. The nest was found 
on May 21, 1880 (Dunbar). There are many other records 
of its breeding in. the county, which it is not necessary to 
enumerate, but its numbers are decidedly limited, and it 
deserves special protection. 
241. CEdemia perspicillata {L.). Surf Scoter, 
\_Ohs. — " The surf scoter is only an occasional visitor to Caith- 
ness, and I have never been fortunate enough to meet witli 
a specimen, or obtain any information regarding its local 
history " (H. Osborne, in MSS.).] 
242. Mergus merganser, L. Goosander. 
There are two old specimens of this bird in the Dunrobin 
Museum. We ourselves never observed this bird in the 
east or west of the county till quite of late years, but Mr. 
Booth reported to us, viva voce, that it bred on the Shin, 
and it also occurs occasionally on the Dornoch Firth. But 
as early as 1878 nest and eggs were taken in West Suther- 
land on 10th May, and the female caught on the nest, and 
in 1884 they bred again on the same loch-side. The keeper 
