314 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



plamago have been seen near Ballantrae, each attended by a 

 young one about the size of a wild duck. Mr Watson of Stran- 

 raer informs us that he repeatedly sees three or four at a time off 

 the Galloway coast near Kirkmaiden. 



The Black-throated Diver {Cohjmhus ardicus). 

 Occurs off the coasts, chiefly in spring and beginning of summer, 

 about the time of moving towards the breeding localities to the 

 north-west. We have seen pairs of this beautiful bird also off 

 Girvan. Mr Anderson had a splendid specimen, in the breeding 

 plumage, presented to him by Mr Murray. It was taken alive in 

 the salmon nets, and has lately been transferred to Mr Gray's 

 private collection in Glasgow. 



The Eed-throated Diver {Cohjmhus septentnonaUs). 

 So far as we can learn, this species is only a winter visitant ; it 

 is frequently taken in fresh-Avater lakes, deep pools in rivers, and 

 still oftener on the sea-coast, close to the shore, where it finds its 

 favourite food in suitable quantity. It is very rarely met with in 

 tlie breeding plumage in our district. 



The Common Guillemot {Uria troile). 



A very common si^ecies off the coasts of both counties. Its 

 breeding haunts are at Ailsa Craig, in Ayrshire, and the Scaur 

 rocks, at the entrance to the Bay of Luce, in Wigtownshire — at 

 both of which places it is found in great abundance. Vast nvmi- 

 bers were at one time killed yearly on Ailsa Craig, during the 

 breeding season; but since the passing of the "Sea Birds Preser- 

 vation Bill " tlie practice is believed to have been discontinued. 

 At the Scaur Rocks the birds were seldom if ever molested. 



Towards the close of summer, large companies of these birds 

 occasionally congregate near the shore, and remain there for 

 days in calm weather, over the sand banks where their food is 

 obtained. 



The Einged Guillemot, or Bridled Guillemot {Uria 



laclirymans). 

 Occurs at Ailsa Craig and also at tlie Scaur Eocks, in the pro- 

 portion of one to five hundred of the commoner species. We have 



