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78 Gaelic Society of Inuenwss.
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In olden times C.lcnlyon scorns to liave been famed for wild ducks,
for ill that ancient poem, "Oran na Comhachaig," or "Song of the
Owl," we have
Thoir soraidh nam tliun an loch,
Far am faic mi 'bhos 's tluiU,
Gu uisge Leamhna nan lach.
TEAL.
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Latin Anas orcca. Gaelic Crann-lach, Crion-iach (little duck),
Siotta (A. Macdonald), Darcan (A. Macdonald). Welsh— Co/-
Ihvyad, Crack Ilijad.
WIDGEON.
Latin Anas Penelope. Gaelic Gias-lach. Welsh Chioiw.
EIDER DUCK.
Latin Somateria moilissima. Gaelic Lach-lochlannach, Loch-mhur
(Harris), Lach-Ckolonsa, Lavh-heisgnr (Uist), Catcach. Welsh—
Hioyad Jwifthbki,.
This duck gets its first Gaelic name— Scandinavian duck
fi'om its being so common in these nortliern regions ; that of
Lach-mhor— ]»ig duck—from its large size; and its third and fourth
names from its being so common on the islands of Colonsa and
Heiskcr. Mr Grey says— "The extraordinary number of Eider
Ducks found on the island of Colonsa has gained for this bird the
local name of Lach-Cholonsa over a considerable portion of the
western districts of Scotland." Colcach seems to be tlie ancient
name, for Dean Mnnro, who wi-ote his "Description of the
Hybrides" in 1594, describes it under the name of Oolcach.
Martin uses the same name in 1716, in his "Description of the
Western Islands." Of Martin's description of the eider Mr Grey
says— " Martin also mentions the bird which he describes by the
name of colk (the Gaelic one still in use) and gives a most glowing
and exaggerated descri]jtion of its plumage, which he compares to
that of the peacock ! At the close of his ornithological records,
however, he makes the following highly curious remark, which
may, to some extent, account for his m:ignified descri})tion— 'The
air is here moist and moderately cold, the natives qualifying it
some times by drinking a glass of Ksquebavi/h. The moisture of
this i)lace is such that a loaf of sugar is in danger to be dissolved.'
The precise nature of the humidity is not exi)lained, nor yet the
cause, though the melting of the sugar is rather suggestive."
VELVET SCOTER.
Latin — Oideniia fusca. Gaelic — Lach-dhubh, 7\mna(/ {/Meast.
Welsh—Ilwyad /elfedog.
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