NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 315 



proved tins at various times on the Craig, by counting the slaugli- 

 tered birds taken in the tacksman's nets. In 1867 we counted 

 over 1500 of Una troile, in which we found two specimens of this 

 bird; but one of the men stated that he had obtained a third, 

 which he had taken out of the net ahve, and tethered to a stone. 

 On returning, however, to the place, he could not hit on the exact 

 spot, and so lost the bird. 



The Black Guillemot (Uria grylle). 

 We have seen this bird in summer, near the entrance to Loch 

 Ryan, and also in the Bay of Luce, but have not been able to find 

 it incubating either on Ailsa Craig or the Scaur Rocks. From the 

 frequency of its occurrence at this season, however, it is probably 

 a native of both places. During the winter months it is found in 

 small numbers in the Firth of Clyde, from Ayrshire to Port-Glas- 

 gow, and small numbers have been observed, in the full breeding 

 plumage, off Ardrossan. Mr Gray examined a very fine one which 

 had been shot by Mr Steedman near the Horse Island. We have 

 reason to believe that one or two pairs breed in the rocky fissures 

 near Kildonan, in Arran, 



The Little Auk (Mergulus melanoleucos). 



The late Mr Thompson, in his work on the " Birds of Ireland," 

 states that, on 19th May, 1849, "Mr Darragh, of the Belfast 

 Museum, saw four little auks on Ailsa Craig;" but during a long 

 experience in the eatuiiry of the Clyde, and numerous visits to 

 the Crais", it has never come under our observation. In one or 

 two instances examples of its occurrence in winter have been 

 made known to us. In the season of 1867-G8, a number of little 

 auks Avere driven inland at various places. One of these was 

 picked up at Kilmarnock, and given to Mr Eaton there, in whose 

 hands Mr Gray saw it. 



As a rule, this bird is found much more plentifully on the 

 eastern coasts of Scotland. 



The Puffin (Fratercula ardica). 



Occurs in immense numbers on Ailsa Craig during the breeding 



season, and is found plentifully on all parts of the coast between 



Ayr Heads and the Mull of Galloway from February to October. 



On Ailsa Craig its burrows are found under the broken rocks 



