51 
nursery is, or was until recently, situated on the banks of the 
Castle Loch, about seven miles inland.* Another very important 
breeding station is at Loch Moan, in Ayrshire, and is frequented 
by several hundred pairs, which lay their eggs on a small island 
in the middle of the lake. The nesting haunts of this species, 
however, are not confined to inland districts. A pretty extensive 
colony may be seen hatching on a part of the cliffs between 
Ballantrae and the entrance to Glen App, and a few pairs are 
also found breeding on Ailsa Craig. 
The Shag, or Green Cormorant (Phalacrocorax graculus). 
The green cormorant occurs much less frequently than the pre¬ 
ceding species; it is, however, a common bird of the coasts. Its 
breeding haunts with us are strictly confined to Ailsa Craig and 
the numerous caves which exist southwards of Ballantrae, and 
again at the Mull of Galloway and Burrow Head. 
The Gannet, or Sol and Goose (Sula alba). 
Off* the Ayrshire coast the gannet is a daily object of attention 
as it sweeps its pure white figure against the blue sky or the dark 
cloud. Occasionally it comes very near the beach; we have 
observed it in shallow bays diving after whitings, in a depth of 
water not exceeding three or four feet. On such occasions the 
plunge was made at an acute angle, the gannet appearing almost 
immediately, and before its body had time to be fully submerged. 
Its mode of fishing was very skilful and guarded. The gannet 
appears off* our coasts early in February, and generally leaves about 
the close of September; its movements, however, are considerably 
influenced by the abundance or scarcity of the various fish upon 
which it is known to feed. 
LARIDAE. 
The Sandwich Tern ( Sterna Boysii). 
We have recognised this fine species in flight off* the coast near 
Girvan, and have seen an occasional specimen shot in our district. 
We have not, however, been able to discover it breeding on any 
of the rocks frequented by the other species. 
* This loch, one of a group, is situated in the parish of Mochrum, and 
throughout the district these birds are known by the name of “ Mochrum 
Elders.” 
