27ie Scottish Naturalist. 345 



stances also occur of its having been got higher up in the Tay, 

 as also in the Earn, but nowhere very common. 



136. Alca torda, Linn. (Razorbill.) 



137. Uria troile, Lath. (Guillemot.) 



Both these birds are still to be seen pretty regularly at the 

 mouth of the Tay, especially in the autumn and spring, the 

 Razorbill being the more abundant of the two ; but neither of 

 them are to be seen in the numbers they used to be in former 

 years. In the summer months, though a few are always about, 

 they are chietiy then in the neighbourhood of their breeding- 

 grounds at the Bass and St Abb's Head. Mr Nelson mentions 

 an example of the Bridled Guillemot having been obtained below 

 Broughty Ferry two winters ago, which is now in the collection 

 of the Dundee Naturalists' Society. This variety of the common 

 Guillemot appears to be much less known in the south than 

 farther north. Some years ago, when visiting Pappa Westray in 

 Orkney, I found the bridled variety in great abundance, breeding 

 in company with the common bird. I may here take the oppor- 

 tunity of recording an example of an Albino Razorbill shot by 

 me a little above the Island of May in the Firth of Forth, on the 

 13th of May 1836. It is a beautiful specimen, with pure yel- 

 lowish-white bill and legs, the whole plumage of the purest 

 Avhite, and is still in good preservation in my collection at 

 Megginch. 



Uria grylle, Lath. (Black Guillemot.) 



Though I have seen the Black Guillemot farther north, off the 

 coast of Kincardine and Aberdeen, I have not observed it to be 

 common about the Tay. It is, however, occasionally to be got 

 both there and in St Andrews Bay. 



Mergullus alle, Vieill. (Little Auk.) 



A wonderful irruption of these birds took place in the very 

 severe winter, just before Christmas, of 1879, spreading themselves 

 from the mouth of the Tay upwards, even going far inland — and 

 many captures w^ere recorded from all parts. At other times it 

 has only been known as a very rare winter visitant. 



Fratercula arctica, Flem. (Puffin.) 

 Though more frequent than the above, making its appearance 



