I 4 8 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



LIMOSA LAPPONICA (Z.). I was scarcely prepared, however, to 

 meet with the Bar-tailed Godwit, and was therefore delighted to find 

 a group of eleven in St. Ninian's Bay on icth January. The tide 

 was ebbing at the time, and the birds were following it and probing 

 the soft sand in characteristic fashion. They were observed in the 

 same spot on a subsequent day, so were probably wintering there. 



LARUS RIDIBUNDUS, Z. Black-headed Gulls were abundant, 

 especially about Rothesay and Port Bannatyne, where they became 

 objects of much interest during the prolonged severe weather, many 

 coming daily about the houses and poultry-yards to be fed. 



LARUS CANUS, Z., L. ARGENTATUS, J. F. Gmel., and L. MARINUS, 

 Z. Perhaps not less numerous was the Common Gull ; and the 

 Herring Gull, especially in the plumage of immaturity, was likewise 

 plentiful. A number of adult Great Black-backed Gulls were also 

 perfectly identified, but I much doubt if I saw a Lesser Black-back, 

 unless perhaps in the immature state. 



URIA TROILE (Z.), and ALCA TORDA, Z. A good many Guille- 

 mots were seen as we crossed from Wemyss Bay to Bute, and again 

 between the island and Toward when we left, some of them being 

 quite close to Rothesay. One or two Razorbills were also noted, 

 but no Puffins. 



COLYMBUS GLACIALIS, Z., and C. SEPTENTRIONALIS, Z. Divers, . 



singly or in pairs, were scattered along the entire western coast-line ; 

 but, as many of my readers know, it is not always easy, even with a 

 good glass, to say to which species a Diver at some distance off shore 

 belongs. On several occasions, however, by hiding among the rocks 

 when the birds were on the surface and running forward while they 

 were below, I managed to perfectly identify both the Great Northern 

 and the Red-throated species. The Black-throated was probably 

 also present, but of this I could not be certain. 



PODICIPES FLUVIATILIS (Tunsf.), P. AURixus (Z.), and P. CRIS- 

 TATUS (Z.). On Loch Quien I had five Little Grebes in view at one 

 time, but I did not notice this bird on any of the other lochs. A 

 medium-sized Grebe seen diving a short distance from shore near 

 Kilmichael [on 8th January was most likely a Sclavonian Grebe ; 

 and in February a Great Crested Grebe was killed on the coast, as 

 I am informed by Mr. Bodin, who stuffed it. 



