NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 321 



species. It is liardly so common with us, but is still sufficiently 

 numerous to form an important item in tlie bird life of our 

 district. At Girvan we have observed several pairs coming 

 apparently from Ailsa Craig, and proceeding with strong-mnged 

 beats, high in the air, in the direction of some of the largest sheep 

 farms on the hills, and have watched their raven-like flight until 

 they disappeared beyond the top of the Saugh Hill. Their prey, 

 we doubt not, was variously suggestive. 



The Pomerine Skua {Lestris pomarinus). 

 This species, easily recognised by its superior bulk from 

 Richardson's skua, has been observed in various parts of Ayrshire. 

 It has, according to the late Mr Thompson, occurred at Ballantrae, 

 and Mr Gray has observed it off the coast on more than one 

 occasion. It lias likewise been obtained in Wigtownshire. 



Richardson's Skua (Lestris liichardsonii). 

 Occasionally observed along shore chasing the sea gulls. It 

 visits Ailsa Craig early in the season — prol:)ably before retiring to 

 its breeding quarters — and delights in molesting the kittiwakes, 

 amoug whom he is a most unwelcome intruder. About this time 

 also it scours the coast line as far as the Mull of Galloway in tlie 

 same pursuit, but is seldom or never observed in June, July, or 

 August, when the birds are hatching. 



Buffon's Skua {Lestris Bvffonii). 

 Can only be ranked with us as a rare straggler. The last 

 and most recent specimen coming under our observation was 

 one shot on the Cree, near Newton-Stewart, in the spring 

 of 1863. 



The Manx Shearwater {Puffinus a7iglorum). 

 As this bird seldom approaches the coast nearer than a mile's 

 distance, it is not often observed, except by those who go in quest 

 of birds, or are interested in tlieir movements. It may, liowever, 

 ]>e seen regularly passing and repassing even as late as the end of 

 June. There are probably no breeding stations of this species 

 nearer us than tlie islands of Mull, Staffii, or lona; yet it is 

 possible that they may extend tlieir daily excursions to the Ayr- 

 shire coast, as their flight is extremely easy and buoyant. 



