49 
proved this at various times on the Craig, by counting the slaugh- 
tered birds taken in the tacksman’s nets. In 1867 we counted 
over 1500 of Uria troile, in which we found two specimens of this 
bird; but one of the men stated that he had obtained a third, 
which he had taken out of the net alive, and tethered to a stone. 
On returning, however, to the place, he could not hit on the exact, 
spot, and so lost the bird. 
THE Back GUILLEMOT (Uria grylie). 
We have seen this bird in summer, near the entrance to Loch 
Ryan, and also in the Bay of Luce, but have not been able to find 
it incubating either on Ailsa Craig or the Scaur Rocks. From the 
frequency of its occurrence at this season, however, it is probably 
a native of both places. During the winter months it is found in 
small numbers in the Firth of Clyde, from Ayrshire to Port-Glas- 
gow, and small numbers have been observed, in the full breeding 
plumage, off Ardrossan. Mr Gray examined a very fine one which 
had been shot by Mr Steedman near the Horse Island. We have 
reason to believe that one or two pairs breed in the rocky fissures 
near Kildonan, in Arran. 
THe Littte AUK (Mergulus melanoleucos). 
The late Mr Thompson, in his work on the ‘ Birds of Ireland,” 
states that, on 19th May, 1849, “Mr Darragh, of the Belfast 
Museum, saw four little auks on Ailsa Craig;’ but during a long 
experience in the estuary of the Clyde, and numerous visits to 
the Craig, it has never come under our observation. In one or 
two instances examples of its occurrence in winter have been 
made known to us. In the season of 1867-68, a number of little 
auks were driven inland at various places. One of these was 
picked up at Kilmarnock, and given to Mr Eaton there, in whose 
hands Mr Gray saw it. 
As a rule, this bird is found much more plentifully on the 
eastern coasts of Scotland. 
THE PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica). 
Occurs in immense numbers on Ailsa Craig during the breeding 
season, and is found plentifully on all parts of the coast between 
Ayr Heads and. the Mull of Galloway from February to October. 
On Ailsa Craig its burrows are found under the broken rocks 
G 
