sccvrEU. 
(EBEMIA NIGRA. 
At all seasons the Scoter is to be found on the seas surrounding tlie British Islands, most numerous in 
autumn, winter, and early spring, though a few stragglers remain in small parties all through Bie summer. 
The earlier writers on ornithology failed in most instances to note the breeding of this species in Great 
Britain ; many, however, nest on the flat moors round the lochs in the more open portions of the country 
in Sutherland and Caithness. I have also received word from keepers that a few pairs resorted to some 
small lochs in the north-west of Boss-shire all through June and July; doubtless those were rearing their 
young in this district, though the fact escaped observation. 
The Scoter, according to my own experience, is a late breeder; it is not till the first or, more often, 
the second week in May that the birds appear at their haunts on the inland lochs, though flying visits 
may have been paid to the locality earlier in the season. By the end of May I have observed as many 
as five or six pairs resorting almost constantly to the piece of water they had selected, having evidently 
taken up their summer-q[uarters. In early morning the drakes may be seen paying their respects to 
their mates, and in a sportive and most amusing manner flapping round and round the object of their 
admiration ; after this performance is ended they wash, dash, and splash in the water, sending the spray flying 
in all directions. As soon as the females have commenced to sit closely, which usually happens about the 
second or third week in June, the males are less frequently seen making repeated flights to larger lochs 
or the open sea. The nests are placed in heather of moderate growth on the open moors, seldom within 
the distance of a quarter of a mile of the lochs ; I met Avith a feAV, however, on the small peaty islets among 
the black pools on the floes. Unless the old bird is driven off or watched to her quarters the exact 
position of the nest is by no means easily ascertained. The eggs are a dull dirty yellow, the lining of 
their cradle being composed of a plentiful supply of black down from the breast of the female ; the young 
on leaving the shell are covered with a dusky down, the legs and beaks exhibiting a smoky tint. 
During spring I have often watched immense flocks in the channel off Bye Bay and Bairlight going 
through much the same performances indulged in on the Uighland lochs; the only difference was that 
the amusements seemed more general, numbers chasing one another while flapping over the surface, diving 
and ducking incessantly, the excitement being carried on with but slight intermission for an hour at a 
time, the surface of the water for a quarter of a mile or more appearing at times as if caught by a 
sudden squall, the black plumage of the birds as they sprang above the foam contrasting strongly with 
the spray dashed up, and forming a most singular sight. Though almost invariably watchful. Scoters 
now and then while so engaged permit a near approach ; on one or two occasions I have Avorked the boat 
within fifteen or twenty yards of the nearest of these Avideawake fowl. At dusk in spring there is also 
a general meeting in various parts of the Channel; at this hour they are generally far more noisy, their 
whistling cry being heard on all sides of a fine still evening as the darkness closes in. In such numbers 
