258 The Scottish Naturalist. 



they run again. They often sweep out to sea, generally flying 

 in a semicircle ; but sometimes they return to the spot from 

 which they set out, after flying about for a time. 



7. Ringed Plover {^gialitis hiaticula^ L.) — This is a pretty 

 little bird, and not unlike the Dunlin in its habits. It is very 

 common on the coast, but may be considered rare inland. It 

 occasionally makes its appearance near Stanley, and breeds in 

 Perthshire. The nest, which scarcely deserves the name, is a 

 slight hollow, scooped out generally in the sand or gravel. The 

 eggs are four in number, and of a greenish-grey colour, spotted 

 and streaked, 



8. Razor-bill i^Alca tarda., L.) — This is a common sea-bird, 

 but is seldom seen far inland. In February 1873 an adult, in 

 winter plumage, was killed with a stone in a small burn that 

 runs into the Tay at Burnmouth Ferry. 



The Razor-bill is a migratory species, and makes its appearance 

 from the north in September, returning thither again in March 

 and April. Of course a great many breed on the rocky parts of 

 our coasts, but their number is largely increased by the arrival 

 of the migrants from the north. 



9. Red-throated Diver {Colymbus septentrio7ialis, Latham). 

 — The Red-throated Diver has, so far as I know, been twice got 

 on the Tay, near Stanley. One was shot four years since, and in 

 the spring of 1878 one, a wounded bird, was killed with a stone, 

 and offered to me for sale. This bird has a very awkward appear- 

 ance when on land — its legs are placed so far back on its body 

 that it can only walk with diflficulty ; but in the water it is very 

 active, and, as its name indicates, is an expert at diving. It feeds 

 principally on small fish. It is a very pretty bird. The throat, 

 in summer, is of a bright reddish-brown colour; the breast is white, 

 and the upper part of the head and neck and the back are of a 

 bluish-black or lead colour. In winter the back is of a black 

 ground, speckled with white, and the throat and breast white. 



TO. Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo, L.) — This bird is rare 

 in the district. In October 1878 one was seen on the, Tay, near 

 the Salmond ponds, almost daily for a fortnight. It frequented 

 a croy at Benchill fishing-station very much. It sometimes sat on 

 the croy preening and arranging its feathers; and now and again 

 it was in the habit of shaking its wings vigorously, and spreading 

 them out in a curious manner, as if to dry them. It occasionally 

 sat for a considerable time so employed ; then it would suddenly 

 disappear under the water, and reappear, after perhaps half a 



