182 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



Moor-Hen, Gall inula chloropus, (Linn.). — Not uncommon in the 

 small marshes close by the shore. 



Kinged Plover, Jfigialitis hiaticola (Linn.). — Very common. 



Golden Plover. Charadrius pluvialis, Linn. — Flocks of these 

 birds appear with great regularity in September and 

 October. In winter, when the weather is open, few are to 

 be seen ; but a change to frost or snow never fails to bring 

 them down to the shore with a rush. 



Grey Plover, Squatarola helvetica (Linn.). — Appears to be a 

 regular autumn visitor in scanty numbers, October or 

 November being the months in which it is usually observed. 

 I have seen it as early as 6th September, and as late as 2nd 

 February. First noticed in 1904, it has occurred every 

 year since. 



Lapwing, Vanellus vulgaris, Bech stein. — A very abundant bird 

 here ; sometimes in October and November the shore simply 

 swarms with them. During continued frosty weather they 

 disappear, but with the return of open weather they re- 

 appear, though always in lessened numbers. They become 

 very lively at dusk, when they come trooping down to the 

 flats, turning and twisting about, and calling loudly to each 

 other. 



Turnstone, Strepsilas interpres (Linn.). — From the middle of 

 August till the end of the season, a few frequent the rocky 

 shore about Brigaird Point ; but they never occur in such 

 large numbers as in some other parts of the Clyde area. 



Oyster - Catcher, Hcematopus ostralegus, Linn. — About 200 

 Oyster-catchers spend the winter on the Fairlie sands, 

 feeding when the tide is out, and crossing to the Little 

 Cumbrae at high water. Some evidently nest on this shore, 

 for I have seen the young, still in down, at Brigaird Point in 

 August. 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula, Linn. — Common enough in 

 several parts of this district, I am told ; but it is not often 

 seen on the shore, and I have only come across it on two 

 occasions. 



Common Snipe, Gallinago ccslestis (Frenzel). — Generally a few 

 occur in certain favoured spots, always becoming more 

 numerous during hard weather. Many come out to the flats 



