466 MR. H. M. WALlilS ON NATURAL HISTORY OF ARRAN MORE. 
Sound of Arran, and a second on May 28tli. These birds were 
described by the fishermen as “ balling ” (collecting in large 
numbers) inside the island, previous to going north for the 
summer. I was unable to verify this. 
Hearing that a bird, described as a “ Herring Hawk,” nested 
beside a mountain tarn inland, I visited the place mentioned on 
June 4th, and found a pair of Red-throated Divers breeding. The 
eggs were laid upon a quaking bog, among a patch of flowering 
Buckbean, about eighteen inches from the water’s edge. Both 
birds were swimming near. I subsequently ascertained that, at 
least, two pairs had eggs in this district during June 1886.* 
Red-breasted Mergansers were seen almost daily at low tide 
among the rocks inside the islands ; but it was not until June 5th 
that I found that they had nested upon an island in an inland 
lake, from which fresh eggs were brought me. On visiting the 
nest next morning both birds left it. 
Common Gull and Common Tern were nesting upon islands in 
the same lake, upon one of which I found a duck’s nest, from 
which eggs had recently been taken, which I suspect was a 
Wigeon’s. The feathers mixed with the down were small and 
pure white. I found a Teal’s nest with eggs on June 4th. 
Bernacle Geese pass the Arrau More lighthouse on migration, and 
are occasionally shot by the keeper. I found a dead bird lying 
upon the grassy summit of an outlying stack. 
The Manx Shearwater breeds in little colonies of half a dozen 
pairs or so in suitable places along the cliffs of Arran More, 
usually choosing a steep peaty slope half-way down the cliff, 
sheltered from the full force of the Atlantic gales, and not too 
easy of access. The bird is locally known as “ Puffin ” or 
“ Booty,” and the sitting bird and her highly-scented egg are 
esteemed a dainty. This bird is courageous in disposition, vvill 
not leave its nest until drawn out forcibly, and fights savagely, 
inflicting sharp bites with its hooked bill, and using its sharp claws 
freely. On May 31st we took nearly fresh eggs, and others much 
incubated. 
*Mr. Howard Saunders, in the new edition of ‘ Yarrell’s British Birds,’ 
issued September, 1884, had already suggested that the Red-throated Diver 
was an Irish breeder, and had directed attention to Donegal as a probable 
locality. 
