308 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



and tliick tufts of lierbage. From such places of concealment it 

 is very difficult to dislodge the bird. There is a great difference 

 in size between the sexes. 



Mr Thomas Anderson, jun., informed us some time ago that he 

 captured a Avater rail, which flew on board one of the Cunard 

 steamers in December, 18G7, when about 450 miles from land. 

 The ship was on an outward voyage from Liverpool. 



The Moor Hen {Gallinula cJdorojms). 

 The familiar water hen is very common in all the streams, lochs, 

 and pools of our district, frequenting also mill-dams, ditches, and 

 other water courses, especially such as are fringed with a pro- 

 fusion of water plants, where the birds can hide themselves from 

 observation. The eggs of this species are, in some districts, 

 subject to considerable variation in size, markings, and general 

 appearance. 



LOBIPEDID^. 

 The Common Coot {Fulica atra). 

 Found with the preceding species in the larger lochs, but not, 

 so far as we have observed, in water courses or drains. 



NATATORES. ANATIDJE. 



The Grey-Lag Goose (Anser fenis). 



Stray birds of this species are occasionally found during the 

 winter months on the larger inland lochs and marshes. Their 

 appearance, however, is uncertain. The attractions of the western 

 islands as a feeding ground are sufficient to prevent these birds 

 wandering to any great extent. A portion of both counties is 

 visited by small flocks in passing southward in the beginning of 

 A\dnter, and again in March and A2:)ril as they return. On these 

 occasions they often alight on Ailsa Craig, and pitch upon a 

 marsh there. 



The Bean Goose {Anser segehim). 



Of occasional occurrence in moist ground in retired moorlands, 

 and sometimes seen in flocks on the sands at the Bay of Wigtown 

 and near Glenluce. The follo"\ving note is taken from Thomson's 

 "Birds of Ireland": — "A sporting friend, residing in the south of 



