president’s address. 513 
The nests of the Kittiwakes are often found in the imme- 
diate neighbourhood of the Guillemots and Razor-bills, but 
generally speaking they colonise together and select the 
more rugged places on the cliffs, and frequently at a lower 
level than the other two species. 
Fulmaris glacialis (Fulmar). Mr. Harvie-Brown has 
exhaustively dealt with the subject of the first appearance 
of this bird on Handa for breeding purposes, and the earliest 
date for which he has positive information of the Fulmar 
nesting on the island is the year 1902, when there were about 
eight pairs. Since that time they have slightly increased in 
number, and last year (1907) there were about twenty pairs. 
The site they have chosen is the highest and most precipitous 
part of the cliff on the northern side of the island, about 300 
feet above sea-level. Even to such experienced cragsmen as 
the brothers Matheson, and Donald Morrison of Scourie, 
most of the nests are quite out of reach, owing to the over- 
hanging nature of the cliffs at this part. The long, straight 
pinioned wing of the Fulmar is a characteristic by which he 
may easily be identified, when in flight, from any other bird 
for which he is likely to be mistaken. 
Somateria mollissima (Eider Duck). This is the only 
Duck that nests on Handa, but not in any number. The 
adjacent (Badcall) Islands are more frequented by this 
species than is Handa itself. 
H.ematopus ostralegus (Oyster-catcher). Although I did 
not myself find a nest of this species on Handa. yet there is 
no doubt that the}' regularly breed on the island. On a small 
rocky island, some few hundred yards from the main island of 
Handa, I found several pairs breeding, and on this same island 
I found a nest, containing four eggs, of the Eider Duck. 
Colymbus septentrionalis (Red-throated Diver). For 
the last seven or eight years a pair of these birds have 
regularly nested on Handa, and I believe I have reliable 
information for stating that during this period they have 
