REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN I914 169 



tion away from its nest ; and on 7th December there were 

 great flocks of Wood-pigeons at Barnbarroch, Kirkinner, 

 some dead and dying of diphtheria. A bird of this 

 species at Dunning, Perth, on 31st December had "pigeon 

 disease in the mouth, and bumble foot"; while on 31st 

 October one was found under a rowan tree at Kirkinner, 

 so full of berries that it was caught by a puppy. During 

 the partial eclipse of the sun on 21st August, Curlew were 

 heard to call loudly near Largo and Colinsburgh (Fife), 

 and ceased when the shadow passed. A Black-headed 

 Gull, seen diving at Piltanton Burn, Luce Sand, " remained 

 quite under water." A very interesting note on the habits 

 of the Herring, Greater Black-backed and Glaucous Gulls, 

 comes from Tarbatness. Mr Allan records havin"- seen 

 several Black-backed Gulls fighting for something on the 

 shore, on the morning of 13th December, the wind being 

 south-east and blowing a gale. On going down he found 

 the Gulls had got a little bird, and then he noticed 

 several Little Auks in the sea. They were being preyed 

 upon by the Gulls, and whenever a Little Auk came to 

 the surface they attacked it. Sad to say they were 

 successful marauders, as Mr Allan mentions seeing one 

 Glaucous Gull catch three Little Auks in a very short 

 time ; they continued to catch and devour them till after 

 dark (i. 191 5, 69). On the Isle of May on i6th May 

 an adult Kittiwake was seen being fed on the nest with 

 regurgitated food; the bird on the nest made coaxing 

 noises and sometimes a clappering sound ; the feeding 

 was repeated several times (i. 1914, 200). A mixed 

 pack of some sixty Black Grouse were all " eating haw- 

 thorns " at Corsemalzie on 2nd November, and quite a 

 number of Grouse were found sitting very close in a big 

 thick turnip field at Glasnick, Penninghame, on 22nd 

 September, while at Corsemalzie the Pheasants eat the 

 turnip tops in the garden completely off. ^^, ^., . ., 



