I08 J Vest Kilbride and North Ayr si lire Coast. [Sess. 



be described ; but the lap of the waves against the rocks 

 warned me that the tide was now running strong, and in haste 

 I wound my solitary way across the sands to my home, leav- 

 ing the birds in peaceful enjoyment of theirs. 



At this meeting Mr W. C. Crawford, F.R.S.E., read a com- 

 munication entitled " A Field Naturalist's Tour in Canada." 



X.— WEST KILBRIDE AND THE NORTH AYRSHIRE 



COAST. 



By Mr D. A. BOYD, Corresponding Member. 



{Read April 27, 1904.) 



The Ayrshire coast-line stretches for a distance of over 80 

 miles from Kelly Burn on the north to Loch Eyan on the 

 south, and may thus be said to include nearly the whole of the 

 seaboard between the Clyde and the Solway. For the greater 

 part of its extent it presents the appearance of a large bay, 

 curving gradually northward from Loch Eyan to the promon- 

 tory of Portincross, a distance of about 70 miles. From 

 either extremity of this bay a beautiful view is obtainable 

 of the greater part of its sweep, and of a wide expanse of 

 water, from which rise the bold outlines of Ailsa Craig, Arran, 

 Bute, and the two Cumbraes, as well as a portion of the 

 Kintyre peninsula. In the neighbourhood of Portincross the 

 northern coast-line reaches its most westerly point of projec- 

 tion, and rapidly recedes again in the direction of Fairlie. 



Although generally interesting and attractive, the coast of 

 Ayrshire lacks the striking diversity of outline and wonderful 

 variety of detail which are so characteristic of the maritime 

 region north of the Clyde. Along the border of the ancient 

 division of Carrick, which lies between Loch Eyan and the 

 mouth of the river Doon, the sea-shore is for the most part 



