G7S 
MR. J. YOUNG ON A VISIT TO ARRAN MORE. 
the Puffin — the name given to the Common Puffin being the 
“Red Nebbed Puffin.” The Merganser is known as the “Wigeon,” 
and the Chough often as the Raven, or the Red-billed Jackdaw. 
During rough weather Gannets came “ inside the islands,” but 
do not breed there, and so do large flocks of Wimbrel on migration, 
the boatman informing me that they were “ young Curlews.” 
One of the most common birds on the bleak and treeless mainland 
is the Cuckoo, of which species a dozen might be seen in the short 
drive from Dunglow to Burton Port, and very tame they were 
too, sitting on the stone dykes within a few feet of the road, 
regardless of the passing cars. At Crohy Head a pair of Kestrels 
were breeding, and on a barn on the Avayside a colony of Black- 
headed Gulls and some common Sandpipers were nesting. On 
Rutland Island I put up a Dunlin out of some long grass, uttering 
its breeding cry, cre-Ge. I found the nest, but it Avas empty. The 
bird is known as the “Plover” in contra-distinction to the 
“ Sandlark ” (Ring Plover), Avhich breeds on the same spot. On 
an islet in an inland tarn I found tAvo nests of the Black-headed 
Bunting built in the top of rank heather, fully eighteen inches 
above the ground, rather an unusual situation ; chosen, I imagine, 
to be out of the Avay of the Otters, Avhose tracks Avere numerous. 
In the same out-of-the-Avay spot I found a Hedge SparroAv’s nest 
and eggs. 
The Heronry (if tAvo or three nests are Avorthy of the name) 
mentioned by Mr. Wallis Avas still in e.\istence in company Avith 
some Hoodies, Avhose destructive Avork could be seen in the 
numerous egg-shells (principally Wild Duck and Grouse) scattered 
around. I Avas shoAvn a pair of Red-throated Diver’s eggs, Avhich 
had been taken just before my arrival. I did not observe any 
Starlings, SAvalloAvs, SAvifts, Martins, Peregrines, or Eagles. 
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the bird life of this 
locality was, as observed by Mr. Wallis, the extreme tameness of 
the Corncrakes. Whether sitting on a conspicuous hummock, 
turning its head from side to side as it uttered its Avell knoAvn 
“ crakes,” or Avhether flitting across the road just in front of one, 
it seemed determined to be seen ; indeed I may say that I saAv 
more Corncrakes during that Aveek than I have seen all my life in 
England. 
