196 
BIRDS. 
shot an immature bird, and had it stuffed. Harvie-Brown 
saw two pairs there in 1885, and again a brood in 1886. 
It may now be considered established in the west, and it 
also breeds now on Loch Shin (aicct. Thomas M'Kenzie) : 
indeed, as early as 1875— May 27th— Mr. J. C. M. Wallis 
found them breeding there, the birds being very tame, and 
coming close up to the Lairg Hotel, within the line of boats, 
which are moored a few yards out. Eecords of sufficient 
authenticity also reach us from Stack, and there can be no 
doubt of the establishment of the species. 
It is perfectly idle for critics to say it has all along 
escaped observation at all these localities, or to deny that 
it has increased its range enormously in Scotland since 
the authors' experience of the county. 
" It may also be ranked among the winter visitors to Caith- 
ness, but the adult male seems to be very rarely obtained " 
(H. Osborne, in MSS.). 
Has been observed in the county by Mr. Eeid, and Mr. 
L. Dunbar records an adult male goosander shot at Brawl 
Castle on 29th January 1878 by Mr. Bignold, preserved by 
Mr. Dunbar, and now in London ; and an adult male and 
female, also shot at Brawl Castle by J. Sutherland, keeper, 
which is now at Springbank, Thurso (Dunbar) : to these 
may be added, amongst actual positive records, one at "Wel- 
beck Abbey. 
243. Mergus serrator, L, Red-breasted Merganser. 
Eesident, and common ; breeding throughout the whole of the 
interior of the eastern district ; only met with on the coast 
in winter in the east, but abundant in the west, breeding 
both on fresh and sea water lochs. Generally distributed. 
" It is described as being a rare Caithness species, but it is 
exceedingly probable that more careful and intelligent 
