THE 
BIRDS OF AYRSHIRE AND WIGTOWNSHIRE. 
RAPTORES. FALCONIDjE. 
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). 
This splendid bird of prey, formerly so well known in many parts 
of Scotland, is now extremely rare. A stray visitant is seen at 
uncertain intervals on Ailsa Craig, especially in spring, when the 
rabbits are being trapped and disembowelled on the rock. It 
still breeds in Kirkcudbrightshire. In a work entitled, “ General 
View of the Agriculture of the County of Ayr,” etc., published by 
William Aiton, writer, Strathavon, in 1811, the following passage 
occurs:—“Eagles formerly abounded so much about Loch Doon, 
in the higher parts of Carrick, as to prove formidable enemies to 
the helpless sheep for many miles round their haunts. They have 
been much reduced in their numbers by the shepherds, but they 
are by no means extirpated. They still hatch in the most inac¬ 
cessible rocks, and occasionally carry off, in their powerful talons, 
a lamb to feed themselves and their young.” 
The White-tailed Sea Eagle ( Haliaetus albicilla). 
Within the last thirty years this eagle has been gradually 
becoming scarcer, and can now only be regarded as a very rare 
straggler. Wandering examples of the bird are still met with in 
the Firth of Clyde, resting occasionally on Ailsa Craig, where the 
species formerly had an eyrie. These probably come from Islay, 
which is yet frequented by two or three pairs, although it is doubt¬ 
ful if they now breed there. A specimen was obtained early in May 
at Dunoon a few years ago; and so long as the species maintains 
