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BIRDS OF ARRAN. 



RED-THROATED DIVER (Colymhus septentrionalis). Of 

 frequent occurrence, though I have not heard of its nest 

 having been taken in any part of the district. Specimens in 

 full summer dress are occasionally seen off shore in May. 



COMMON GUILLEMOT (Uria troile). Abundant in summer 

 all round the islands. The variety known as the ringed 

 guillemot has also occurred in Kilbrannan Sound Mr. J. 

 Gilmour having shot two specimens there in April, 1868. 



BLACK GUILLEMOT (Uria grylle). Tolerably common, 

 especially in Kilbrannan Sound. Eare off Bute and in the 

 Kyles. A few pairs nest on the west side of Arran, where 

 I have seen them in full breeding dress. 



LITTLE AUK (Mergulus melanoleucos). Very rare. I 

 have seen but two or three specimens taken in the district, 

 and these after heavy gales. One was taken at Millport, in 

 Cumbrae, three or four years ago, and is now in the collection 

 of Mr. David Robertson. 



PUFFIN (Fratercula arctica). Abundant all round the 

 coasts, appearing in February, and leaving in September. 



RAZORBILL (Alca torda). Very numerous off shore, where 

 it sometimes congregates in hundreds at the close of the 

 breeding season. 



GREAT AUK (Alca impennis). I may here be allowed to 

 refer to a history of this bird as a Scottish species in the 

 Birds of the West of Scotland, in which reference is made to 

 the fate of the specimen, procured by Dr. Fleming in the 

 outer Hebrides in 1821. This bird having escaped from its 

 owner off the Island of Pladda, Arran has the credit of being 

 associated with the last of the great auks seen alive in this 

 country. I have only to add, that all my efforts to trace the 

 history of the specimen found dead at Gourock have proved 

 fruitless. 



CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo). Very common in the 

 firth. There appears to be no breeding station for this bird 

 in any of the islands. 



SHAG (P/ialacrocorax graculus). Also common. The 



