BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
February and March, 1903, several Puffins were caught on the 
Caerlaverock bird nets,* and Mr. R. Service informs me that 
he has several specimens captured in this way in late winter 
and early spring. In the 1906 " epidemic," abeady referred 
to (see p. 450), this species appeared also to be a sufferer. 
The Puffin breeds in large colonies in Scotland and Ireland. 
In England it nests on the west coast ; but on the east 
it is only known as a breeding-species at the Farne Islands 
and Flamborough Head. On the west coast of Europe it 
breeds in suitable localities from the north of Scandinavia 
to Portugal, and in North America as far south as New- 
foundland. By the end of August these birds leave their 
breeding-stations, but their exact distribution during the 
ensuing months before they return again in April, is still to 
be determined. During this period, however, the species 
may be met with round our coasts, down the Atlantic 
seaboard, and as far east as Sicily in the Mediterranean. 
THE GREAT NORTHERN DIVER. 
Colymbus glacialis, Linnseus. 
Local names— Immer-Goose ; Ember-Goose. 
A winter-visitant, occasionally seen off our shores. 
In 1854 the Great Northern Diver is recorded from Dum- 
fries as " seen lately as a winter visitor."! In January and 
February, this species is occasionally observed in the Solway 
when the weather is foggy and calm. It may be seen 
fishing along the channels that run off the Dumfriesshire 
sand-banks, coming and going with the tide at the first of 
the flow and the last of the ebb ; but it is at all times shy 
and wild, and shuns observation. 
Its occurrence up our rivers is most unusual ; but in 1862 
Dr. Grierson was informed by Thomas Maxwell of AUanton 
* Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1904, p. 69. 
t Naturalist, 1854, Vol. IV., p. 51. 
