126 SEA-FOWL AT THE CRAIG OF AILSA. 



of May, and flies about the loth, of July. This bird differs very considerably 

 in his mode of carrying food for his young from the preceding bird. He 

 appears to rear his young exclusively upon Sand-eels, which he carries across 

 his bill; he attacks the Puffin suddenly from underneath in mid-air, and 

 snatches from him the Sand-eels, which are dangling from his bill and 

 intended for domestic purposes. The Puffin frequently drops them to prevent 

 them getting into possession of this freebooter, but in this he is mistaken, 

 for the Razor-bill immediately descends along with them, and picks them up 

 at his leisure from* the surface of the deep blue sea. They leave about the 

 1st. of August. 



Fratercula ardica. — Arrives about the 7th. of April, lays one egg about the 

 loth, of May, flies on the 1st. of August. He appears to raise his young 

 entirely upon Sand-eels, and the disposal of these fish in his bill is of the 

 most systematic character; the heads are, without an exception, all ivithin the 

 bill, and the bodies hanging outside. If he has an even number, they are 

 as sure to be equally divided between the two sides of the bill. The numbers 

 vary from seven to eleven, and I have shot them with nine. All leave about 

 the 31st. of August. 



Lams liissa. — Arrives about the 1st. of April, lays two or three eggs about 

 the 26th. of May, and flies on the 15th. of August. Never seen to carry. 



Larus Fuscus. — Comes and goes previous to his permanent residence, which 

 is about the 15th. of April; lays three eggs about the 14th. of May, and 

 flies about the 24th. of July. Departure uncertain. Never carries. 



Larus argentatus. — Comes and goes previous to his permanent stay, which 

 usually takes place about the 15th. of April; lays three eggs about the 5th. 

 of May, and flies about the 10th. of July. Never carries. Departure 

 uncertain. 



JPhalacracorax carho. — Come and go up till the 15th. of April, when they 

 remain; lay three eggs about the 20th. of May, and fly about the 14th. of 

 July. Never seen to carry. 



Thalassidroma pelagica. — Breeds occasionally here, and one was caught upon 

 her nest, containing one egg, in the month of August, 1842; they have since 

 been repeatedly seen in the vicinity of the Craig. 



The Land Birds which remain, visit, and breed there, are as follow: — 



Aquila chryscetos. — Was regularly in the habit of breeding there, but has 

 not done so for many years past; he continues, however, to visit it for about 

 three weeks in the month of October, and appears altogether to subsist during 

 that period upon the entrails of Rabbits, which are very plentifully strewn 

 over the Craig, at that season, by men who are employed to kill them. 



Falco peregrinus. — Breeds here regularly. 



Falco tinnunculus. — Breeds constantly here. 



Otus " — Breeds here, — the old and young having both been 



seen. A fine specimen was caught in 184G. 



Corvus cor ax. — Breeds always here. (One pair.) 



