154 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OP GLASGOW. 



Notes on a Cruise in Clyde Waters in June, 1900. 



By John Paterson. 



[Read 28th August, 1900.] 



To Mr. Andrew Bain, a small party, consisting of Dr. Gilmour, 

 Messrs. John Fleming, John Robertson, John Renwick, Hugh 

 Boyd "Watt, and the writer, has again been greatly indebted for 

 a pleasant cruise in Clyde waters in the present summer. We 

 joined the " Romany " on the 7th of June, at Gourock, and 

 proceeded down the Firth. Terns were very numerous until 

 the Lady Isle was reached, and we noticed that the common 

 Guillemot greatly exceeded the Razorbill in numbers. The 

 Lady Isle, olf Troon, is well known as a resort of the Common 

 Seal (Phoca vittdina), but we were scarcely prepared to see there 

 a herd of over thirty individuals, which, as they took the water, 

 presented a remarkable appearance. The Lady Isle is a low 

 island, and from this fact and its exposed situation its surface 

 is surf-swept, and vegetation is confined to a patch in its centre. 

 Its general aspect is smooth, probably owing to glaciation in the 

 first instance, the rocks everywhere being well rounded. Rabbits 

 have long been in possession, and we saw several. The Rock- 

 pipit abounded, two or three pairs of Oyster-catchers were 

 observed, and Mr. Watt was fortunate in seeing three Turnstones 

 (Sirepsilas interpres, Linn.). Helix aspersa, Miill. (approaching 

 var. minor, Moq.), was collected, also //. nemoralis, L. (one 

 approaching var. castanea, Moq., the other approaching var. 

 rubella, Moq.). Plants, including Ligusticum scoticum, L., grow 

 luxuriantly in the small verdant patch mentioned before. After 

 a leisurely survey we rejoined the " Romany," and proceeded 

 southwards, as we wished to trace the nesting of the Cormoiant 

 and Shag on the cliflfs at the southern extremity of Ayrshire. 

 They had long since been reported to nestle in this region by 

 the late Mr. Robert Gray, and statements in confirmation have 



