SEA-FOWL AT THE CRAIG OF AILSA. 125 



The other visitors and stragglers have been observed at the following seasons: — 



Goldfinch, (Carduelis elegans.) — Seen only in winter. 



^ky Lark, (Alauda arvensis.) — Seen only in winter. 



Snowflake, (Plectrophanes nivalis.) 



Wheatear, (Saxicola oenanthe.) — Seen in summer. 



Wagtail, (Motacilla Yarrellii.) — Seen in summer and winter. 



Wagtail, (Motacilla boarula.) — Seen in summer. 



Woodcock, (Scolopax rusticola.) — Calls in passing. 



Sloio Worms, (Anguis fragilis,) are plentiful, and Mice not a few. 



There is a cave, I ought to have mentioned, immediately underneath the 

 precipice where the Geese hatch. In extent it appears to be from eighty to 

 one hundred feet in length; twelve feet high, and probably fifteen feet in 

 width, and fully one hundred feet above high water, in which there was a 

 stone coffin discovered some years ago, with a cross cut into the rock imme- 

 diately over it. The coffin I had an opportunity of seeing, and also part of 

 its contents. I looked carefully into the expression of the occupant,^but could 

 not recognise him, and I question much if even his grandmother could. He 

 reminded me of an old epitaph in the churchyard of Thornhill, which rhymes 



"Here lies the remains of Geordie Denholm, 

 If ye saw him noo, ye wadna ken him." 



This last remark in reference to this devout old catholic, you may consider 

 a digression; but as I undertook to describe what I found roosting upon the 

 Craig, I could not in justice have overlooked his reverence. 



Mill of Boindie, Bavff, Aj)ril, 1854. 



THE ARRIVAL, NESTLING, HABITS, 



AND DEPARTURE OF THE SEA-FOWL AT THE 



CRAIG OP AILSA. 



BY GEORGE DONALDSON, ESQ. 



Sula Bassava. — Arrives about the 24th. of February, lays one egg about 

 the 1st. of May, hatches about the 14th. of June, flies on the 1st. of 

 September; never seen to carry for his young, although, in many instances 

 he has been observed in great distress, with a Gurnard, {Trigla cuculus,) 

 partly projecting from his bill, the spikes of which had got stuck in his 

 throat, while attempting to swallow it. Dead birds have been picked up in 

 this condition. All leave about the 1st. of November. 



Uria troth. — Arrives about the 1st. of April, lays one egg about the 

 loth, of May, and carries the young to the sea about the 15th. of July. 

 The description of fish which this bird appears almost invariably to feed 

 its young upon, is small herrings, which it swallows almost entirely, with 

 the exception of a small proportion of tail, which can always be seen from 

 its keeping the bill so far apart. All leave about the 1st of August. 



Alca torda.— Arrives about the 1st. of April, lays an egg about the loth. 



