462 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



and fro near the coast line between Girvan and Lendalfoot, where 

 I had an opportunity of looking down upon even the flying birds, 

 and have invariably observed them plunging over these banks of 

 sand. I do not think that they are successful at every plunge, 

 unless the fish happen to be numerous; and I imagine they must 

 pursue their prey while under water, as single birds have frequently 

 been discovered drowned in the salmon nets which are placed in 

 the various localities along the Ayrshire coast. I have seen Gannets 

 fishing very near the beach and quite within gunshot. In August 

 last I observed one diving in the line of broken waves where the 

 water was probably not of a greater depth than 2J or 3 feet; 

 the bird seemed for a moment or two averse to run the risk of 

 securing his fish by a hazardous plunge in shallow water, and it 

 was interesting to notice the dexterity with which he dashed 

 diagonally into the frothing waves, emerging again on wing with 

 the fish he had coveted. The Ailsa Gannets usually continue their 

 shore fishing near Girvan until sunset, when they suddenly stop 

 and fly steadily seawards in the direction of the rock. At various 

 times I have discovered dead birds at the base of the cliffs there, 

 with gurnards firmly wedged in their throats, and have been obliged 

 to use a knife for cutting the spines before the fish could be taken 

 out. Individuals have also been picked up on the water similarly 

 situated. 



The Solan Goose usually makes its appearance on the Ayrshire 

 coast in February, and leaves sometime in October ; and on the 

 east coast some hundreds have been known to remain all winter in 

 the vicinity of the Bass Eock for three or four years in succession. 

 In these years it was noticed that herrings were at the same time 

 plentiful : it may be said, indeed, that the movements of the bird 

 are, to a great extent, influenced by those of the various kinds of 

 fish on which it is known to feed. On leaving the Bass Eock in 

 September, vast flocks occasionally proceed northwards, visiting 

 the bays and firths which, at that season, are frequented by shoals 

 of fish. Writing on 23rd August, 1770, Pennant, who seems to 

 have discovered this habit, thus speaks of what he observed : 

 " On my way between Thrumster and Dunbeth, again saw 

 numbers of flocks of Gannets keeping due north, and the weather 

 being very calm they flew high. It has not been observed that 

 they ever return this way in spring, but seem to make a circuit of 

 the island till they again arrived at the Bass Eock, their only 



