Page:Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1838 Vol.2.djvu/342

300 their violent outcries and alarm, they evidently had their nest or young, though we were unable to find either.

59. Scolopax gallinago, Common Snipe.

Is very abundant in all the moory and marshy tracts. 60. S. gallinula. Jack Snipe.

The gamekeeper of the Tongue district assured us that the jack snipe breeds in Sutherland almost every year, and that he had obtained the eggs, as well as young, in some boggy ground, about two miles from Tongue. He shewed such an intimate knowledge of the bird, as to do away with any impression upon our minds of a mistake as to the species. Sir William Jardine accompanied him to a spot where he had frequently seen them in summer, but he was not so fortunate as to meet with any. The situation and ground was, however, apparently exactly suited to their habits. In winter it is plentiful in the lower springs.

61. Tringa variabilis, Dunlin or Purre.

In the summer or dunlin plumage we found the common purre abundant upon the margins of all the lochs. The nest is usually placed under the shelter of some tuft or bush, removed a short distance from the usual water-line of the loch.

62. Crex pratensis, Meadow Crake or Corn Crake.

Is very abundant in all the lower straths, where cultivation exists.

63. Fulica atra, Common Coot.

Was heard among the reeds which skirt the southern side of Loch Douliah, about two miles and a half from Lairg. 64. Hamatopus ostralegus, Oyster Catcher.

Common upon the margin of Loch Shin, where it breeds, and upon most of the salt-water friths and lochs, such as those of Eribol, Tongue, &c.

65. Vanellus cristatus, Common Lapwing.

Very abundant throughout the county.

66. Charadrius pluvialis, Golden Plover.

Plentiful throughout the county, but particularly abundant in the district between Lairg and Tongue, the parish of Durness, Scourie, &c. Sutherland appears to be the great breeding station of this species.

67. C. Hiaticula, Ring Plover or Ring Dottrel.

Upon the margins of all the lochs and larger streams very numerous. 68. Anas ferus (Segetum, auct.), Bean-goose.

We were agreeably surprised to find that the bean-goose annually breeds upon several of the Sutherland lakes. The first intimation we received of this interesting fact was at Lairg, where we were informed that a few pairs bred upon some islands about twelve miles up Loch Shin. We accordingly took boat the following morning, and upon arriving at the place, discovered a single pair, attended by four or five young goslings. None were obtained, as the old birds, being wild, escaped seemingly uninjured, although repeatedly fired