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AXATID^.. 
Upon the water, the old males of this species can be easily 
distinguished at any distance by the white upon the back. 
THE SMEW. 
Mcrgus albellus. 
At the end of February 1870 a pair of Smews were seen 
upon the loch of Quoyhouse, in Unst, and the female was shot 
and brought to me. Never having heard of the occurrence of 
this duck in Shetland before, I was not a little surprised on 
being informed that birds of the same species were shot every 
winter in Lerwick harbour. On making diligent inquiries in 
that neighbourhood, I could not ascertain that such a bird had 
ever been seen there. My belief is, that my informant, being a 
far better sportsman than naturalist, had mistaken the Golden- 
eye for the Smew. 
In Messrs Baikie and Heddle’s catalogue of the birds of 
Orkney it is spoken of as quite rare ; but Mr Gray states that 
in a manuscript note by one of the authors it is asserted to 
breed there. 
THE EED-BEEASTED MEEGANSEE. 
Mergus scrrator. 
HERALD DUCK. 
Tliis very handsome and interesting species is abundant 
upon all parts of the coast throughout the year, although during 
the breeding season it is not so often observed. Thomas 
Edmondston says ‘‘ a few pairs breed among the more seques- 
tered islands but whatever may have been the case when 
he wrote (1843), there are now few parts of the coast, provided 
they be not rocky and precipitous, where there is not a chance 
of finding the nest at the proper season. 
In autumn they gather into flocks for the winter, apparently 
