BIRDS OF ARRAN. 305 



numbers in company with gray plovers in the autumn months, 

 after which it disappears. I have never found the black- 

 tailed godwit in the district, nor the ruff, though it is possible 

 that both may have been overlooked. 



WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola). A very plentiful bird in 

 Arran. It breeds in considerable numbers every year. 



COMMON SNIPE (Scolopax gallinago). A very common 

 species in all the islands. I have observed great numbers in 

 Cumbrae. 



JACK SNIPE (Scolopax gallinula). Common in winter, but 

 strictly migratory. 



CURLEW SANDPIPER (Tringa subarquata). Rare. It 

 arrives in August, but remains only a very short time; and 

 unless carefully looked for, it is apt to be missed. 



KNOT (Tringa canutus). Of late years this bird has be- 

 come more numerous in autumn. On its arrival it is found 

 on all the sandy shores, but only for twelve or fourteen days, 

 when it disappears. Great numbers of these birds were shot 

 near Ayr in August, 1871. 



DUNLIN (Tringa variabilis). Plentiful, breeding on all the 

 hills of moderate elevation in the district. 



PURPLE SANDPIPER (Tringa maritima). An autumn 

 visitant only, occurring a little later than the sanderling and 

 curlew sandpiper, but equally uncertain as to the length of 

 its stay. I have on one or two occasions found it in spring, 

 lingering till the middle of May, in the Kyles of Bute. 



Obs. Neither of the phalaropes can be included in this 

 list, though it is probable that both have been overlooked. 



CORNCRAKE (Crex pratensis). Abundant. 



WATER RAIL (Rallies aquaticus). Not plentiful, though 

 far from rare. 



MOOR-HEN (Gallinula chloropus). Very common. 



COOT (Fulica atra). A few pairs in various localities. 

 This bird is mentioned in Blain's MSS. as a species found in 

 Bute towards the end of last century. 



