NOTES 235 



Spotted or Dusky Redshank was obtained by Mr William Nichol at 

 Skinburness on 31st August last. It is just a year ago since he 

 reported one as having been seen in the same locality. The 

 specimen in question is an immature male, the general colouring of 

 the under parts being light ashy-grey, streaked and barred with dusty 

 brown, the back dull olive necked here and there with whity 

 spots. Hugh Mackay, Edinburgh. 



Black-tailed Godwit in the Outer Hebrides. On 28th 

 August I observed a Black-tailed Godwit by the side of a small 

 pond on the island of Vallay. The bird was very ^wild, and on 

 being disturbed flew straight away. I have only once before seen this 

 species here, when a pair remained for some days (near the same 

 place) in August 1910. F. S. Beveridge, Lochmaddy, North 

 Unst. 



Note on the Kittiwakes at the Plannan Islands. We 



are much astonished this season at the peculiarities of the Kittiwakes. 

 On 7th June we had a severe gale here, and the sea was very high 

 round the islands for several days. The Kittiwakes then were 

 commencing to lay the foundations of their nests, but after the gale 

 took off they showed no sign of continuing building, and up till now 

 (31st July) not 25 per cent, of them laid eggs, and those that did 

 lay scarcely made any attempt at making a nest just a mere 

 apology, nothing like the laborious structure they generally build; 

 and in almost all cases only one egg was laid instead of the usual 

 two per nest. We should like to know if the same peculiarity has 

 been observed elsewhere. John M'Lean and J. D. M'Gilvrav, 

 Flannan Islands Lighthouse. 



Ailsa Craig deserted by Razorbills and Guillemots. 



Naturalists throughout Scotland will learn with regret that Ailsa 

 Craig has been completely deserted this season by the Razorbills 

 and Guillemots that formerly nested on its rocky ledges in their 

 thousands. A considerable diminution in their numbers has been 

 observed for the past few years, particularly during the nesting 

 seasons of 191 1 and 191 2 ; and some correspondence took place in 

 the Glasgow Herald in the latter year, with a view to ensuring 

 greater protection for the residue still breeding there, and as 

 a result the taking of eggs was prohibited. Unfortunately other 

 forces have been at work, and this year there is not a single 

 Guillemot or Razorbill nesting on Ailsa ; Puffins are represented by 

 about one-third their usual numbers, and the Kittiwakes although 

 present are greatly reduced; Gannets are the only birds that retain 



