Smithsonian Institution ibrartes Alexander Wetmore LOA 6 Sixth Secretary 1 953 | ISVS HiNOS JHL WOH “OH(VYD YSTIY L kez yy Aq oanjeyy tao7 wT ‘Hog yuery THE BIRDS OF AYRSHIRE AND WIGTOWNSHIRE, BY ROBERT GRAY SECRETARY TO THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW ——— * 17 Fe Shi ae “iain MALY LIBRARIES WITH A LITHOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION GLASGOW: THOMAS MURRAY AND SON MDCCCLXIX I wish every county had its ornithological biographer, for we should thus not only become better acquainted with the habits and manners of our feathered neighbours, but much light would be thrown on a point which is confessedly obscure—viz., their local and general migrations, and the causes by which they are influenced. —W. J. STERLAND, PREFACKH. THe counties of Ayr and Wigtown present many interesting features, which appear to be intimately associated with a profusion of bird life. A glance at the position and configuration of the districts of Kyle, Carrick, and Galloway, will show that the entire coast outline indicates a variety of locality sufficient to attract, and in many instances retain, species of a wandering habit elsewhere.* Luce Bay, and the Bay of Wigtown, with their far- stretching sands, and Loch Ryan, with its sheltered nooks and shores, draw large numbers of waders and waterfowl. Burrow Head and the Mull of Galloway furnish haunts for cliff-building birds, and for the peregrine and lively chough; while the many caves which intersect the precipitous rocks from Ballantrae to the entrance to Glen App, afford shelter to the rock-dove and cormo- rant. In inland quarters, on the other hand, the numerous lochs scattered over both counties draw flocks of fresh water species, and not a few rarities, as the black tern, garganey, osprey, and wild swan; the high rocky cliffs harbour the raven and eagle; the moors the merlin and hen harrier, dipper and ring ouzel; while the glens and valleys, from their extremely inviting aspect, give encouragement to a number of soft-billed birds, among which may be noticed the grasshopper warbler and lesser whitethroat. In addition to its many other attractions, this district possesses two isolated breeding places for gulls and guillemots—viz., Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde, and the Scaur Rocks in the Bay of Luce. The former, being one of the most extensive nurseries for sea-fowl in Great Britain, is in some respects peculiarly inter- esting—the Iceland gull and little auk having been seen there * We may here recommend to the notice of ornithologists, in consulting this or any future catalogues that may be published, “ Philips’ Travelling Map of Scotland,” in which the various headlands, lochs, and islets are very correctly named and indicated. 4 in summer; while among land birds it can still rank as occasional visitants both the golden and white-tailed eagles, the deserted eyries of which are yet shown to the inquiring visitor. The Great and Little Scaur, a small group of rocks situated near the entrance to Luce Bay, and about midway between the- Mull of Galloway and Burrow Head (the former headland itself being an extensive breeding place), are frequented by numbers of guille- mots, razor-bills, and puffins, etc., which incubate there as at Ailsa. These two breeding places, with many of the inland lochs, which are oceupied by the black-headed and lesser black-backed gulls, enable us to include a number of resident birds which other districts do not possess; and as a fair proportion of the rarer stragglers have appeared from time to time within our limits, the catalogue may be regarded as somewhat fuller than could be expected from a more central district, or even seaboard counties further north. The Solway Firth appears to lead some of the characteristic birds of the south towards the east, and thus forms a kind of barrier to their wanderings into Scotland by the shorter route of crossing the water; thus even species swift of wing, such as the black tern (Sterna nigra) and shoveller duck (Anas clypeata), travel eastwards, tempted by the inviting shores of the Solway, until they are gradually led through Roxburghshire into Berwick- shire, whence they speed northwards. We therefore find these birds appearing much more frequently in East Lothian and Fife, especi- ally in the vicinity of the rivers Tyne and Eden—these estuaries being sufficient to arrest them for a time in the course of their journey. The Ruff (Jachetes pugnax) is ancther example of the influence of the Solway in arresting, or rather diverting the direction of the flight of English birds. It is seldom or never found in Wigtownshire or Ayrshire, while it is tolerably common in the estuaries just named. We draw this inference advisedly, seeing that two of the species at least which we have mentioned are at times abundant in Lancashire. On the banks of the Ribble the ruff is plentiful, while in most of the meres, as the patches of fresh water there are called, the shoveller is equally numerous, as many as a dozen or fifteen specimens having been sent to the Preston bird stuffers in one day. As a post of observation for the migratory movements of birds from the remoter districts of western Scotland, the Mull of Gallo- 5 way is, perhaps, not to be excelled. At the Lighthouse numerous species appear at the time of setting out from our shores, and are sometimes driven back by adverse winds. Even the Waders, such as the knot and sandpiper, are caught on the lantern, upwards of 300 feet above the sea level; and the ring ouzel and gold-crest are likewise captured—the latter in great numbers. In many of the woods near Newton-Stewart, and extending from that westwards to the Rhinns of Galloway, very great flocks of migratory species collect in the end of autumn, and appear to wait a favourable opportunity of effecting a start. We have also noticed that, in the south of Wigtownshire, early migrants, such as the swift, sensibly increase in numbers as the time for their migration approaches. Large flocks from the north may even be seen passing southwards on the west side of the Rhinns, and steering at a considerable height in the air, with a strong and steady flight, and with apparently no intention of halting until their journey 1s accomplished. Looking to the fact that there are so many safe places of refuge westward of our district, where the birds of the Hebrides assemble during winter, we naturally do not look for many marine species whose boundary line, so to speak, may be said to be north of the Solway. The Scoters, for example, are almost wholly absent, and we listen in vain for the wildly-musical call note of the long-tailed duck—a species of constant occurrence within the circle of the inner islands. On the other hand, such birds as the quail, which evidently come to us from the Irish coast, where they are taken in some numbers, are familiar in almost every parish—their soft and gentle note on dewy evenings being a well-known and pleasing sound in the summer months. In conclusion, we may remark that, contrasted with a county like Aberdeenshire, which may almost be called the opposite extreme of our district, there are many differences at once ap- parent. Several North American land birds and Waders, which would seem to travel to this country via Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, and thence by Orkney and Shetland to the outlying shoulder of Scotland represented in the shires of Banff and Aberdeen, are never seen with us; while, as an offset to this deficiency, we have large and interesting migratory flocks from the central and western portion of our island lingering at the fall of the leaf in our famed glens and valleys, and beside our brown 6 moors, ruined castles, and the banks of our brawling rivers, as if telling us, in their changed notes of autumn, that they are reluc- tantly preparing to quit our shores. It only remains to be added, that considerable care has been bestowed in authenticating the information contained in this catalogue. We have traversed a large extent of both counties in quest of species, and have, for the last fifteen years, been almost daily adding to our observations from which the short notes on each of the birds have been selected. These pleasant rambles and excursions, undertaken of late years for the twofold object of investigating the ornithology and paleontology of the glens and hills of Ayrshire, have enabled us to give a somewhat accurate idea of the species to be found within their boundaries. A con- siderable number of the birds enumerated have been procured by ourselves, and preserved as cabinet specimens, and we have seldom introduced a species that has not come under our own personal notice. For some of the specimens obtained, we have been indebted to Dr William Anderson, now of Brigus, New- foundland, whose observations have likewise been of service to us. One or two remarks on certain birds injurious to farmers have been inserted on the authority of Mr Anderson, who has for some years directed his attention closely to their habits, and who has now matured these at a time when a full knowledge of the subject is of some importance both to the bird student and agriculturist. R. G4: AND EAE Guascow, October, 1869. THE BIRDS OF AYRSHIRE AND WIGTOWNSHIRE. RAPTORES. FALCONIDAL. THE GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaétos). Tuts 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,” ete., 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 (Haliaétus albicilia), 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 8 its hold of the numerous romantic headlands in Western Scot- land, we may expect to meet with stray specimens at that season of the year when eagles are most inclined to wander from their ordinary haunts. THE OspREY (Pandion haliactus). About fifteen years ago the osprey frequented Loch Doon with some regularity. One bird at least might have been seen fishing in the loch, and perching at times on the boulders near its banks. This was thought to be a male in quest of prey to carry to his mate incubating on an islet in a small loch in Wigtownshire, where we have good reason for saying a frequented eyrie still exists. THE PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus). This handsome falcon, although much reduced in numbers of late years, is found in both counties, frequenting places where it has been known for many generations. There are still two eyries at the Heads of Ayr, and one on Ailsa Craig. Mr Gray has also seen one at Burrow Head. In the wilder parts of some of the inland districts it is also familiar to game preservers as a destruc- tive enemy to grouse and black game. The peregrine is yet comparatively common in Kirkeudbrightshire. Mr Ewen, of Ewenfield, Ayr, some months ago communicated to the Sporting Gazette a somewhat interesting incident which occurred within his own observation when out hunting with his hawks. His faleoner had let off a two-year old tiercel at some partridges, when a wild peregrine made its appearance, intending, no doubt, to secure one of the birds. As soon as the tiercel had struck his prey to the ground, the wild bird singled out another of the partridges, clutching it in the air, and was carrying it off triumphantly, when Mr Ewen’s bird caught sight of the stranger, and at once gave chase, causing it to drop the partridge; the tiercel then pounced upon the falling bird, and caught it before it reached the ground. THE MERLIN (Falco cesalon). Found in both counties, but is less common in Wigtownshire. Even in Ayrshire it appears to be in a measure restricted to the moors facing the sea. Its favourite prey is the snipe; it also kills dunlins, dotterel, and other shore birds. In the cultivated parts 9 of our district, and also those of Kirkcudbrightshire, it is only a winter visitant. A very beautiful adult male, measuring not more than nine inches in length, was shot on the farm of Drummuck, near Girvan, in the summer of 1869. Ops.—The Hobby (Falco subbuteo) has) occurred several times in the south of Scotland, viz., in Dumfriesshire, Roxburghshire, and Kirkeudbrightshire. In the last named county, Mr Tottenham Lee procured two specimens, and saw a third. Tue Kestrret (Falco tinnunculus). Common. A favourite resort for this species is the line of cliffs between Lendalfoot and Ballantrae, where we have seen many nests comparatively easy of access. Several pairs breed on the cliffs at the Mull of Galloway. The kestrel is quite harmless as a bird of prey to the game preserver, feeding on moths, beetles, and even worms. We have seen it in small groups on the public road near the edge of the cliffs referred to, apparently on the look-out for Geotrupes stercorarius burrowing in its favourite mounds. The kestrel appears to live on good terms with the starling and jackdaw, both of which are its daily associates during the breeding season. THE SPARROW-HAWK (Accipiter nisus). Of frequent occurrence, and much persecuted on account of its destructive ravages among game and poultry, keepers and farmers alike waging war against it. Its partiality for barn-door chickens and partridges has given the bird a bad name, and, indeed, its thefts are offences not easily overlooked. It breeds on the cliffs at the Mull of Galloway, but is perhaps better known as a native of old plantations, where it frequently makes use of the deserted nests of other birds. Oxns.—The Goshawk (Astur palumbarius) has been observed repeatedly in Kirkcudbrightshire by Mr Tottenham Lee, who found its nest in at least two instances. See Naturalist for 1853, vol. i1., p. 45; also Mr A. G. More’s paper in the Jbis for 1865. THE Kivre (Milvus vulgaris). Formerly bred in Glen App, a beautiful district in the south of Ayrshire, but it is now doubtful if even a stray bird is at any B 10 time visible. This fine species appears to be more sensitive to persecution than other birds of prey, judging from the very rapid diminution of its numbers throughout Scotland during the last twenty years. Mr Gray lately examined a beautiful specimen shot near Beith many years ago. It is now never seen there. THE Common BuzzarpD (Buteo vulgaris). Very uncommon, having doubtless yielded to the wide-spread persecution which has been practised since the excessive protection of game became common. In the upland ranges of both counties the nest is sometimes found. Specimens of both young and old birds are occasionally taken to Newton-Stewart from the neigh- bourhood of Loch Trool—a charming bit of scenery about sixteen niles north-east of that town. Mr Gray lately examined a speci- men of this buzzard shot near New Cumnock. THE Honey Buzzarp (Pernis apivorus). A young male bird of this species was shot on 21st September, 1864, at Wellwood, near Muirkirk, Ayrshire. It had been seen in the neighbourhood previously, and the keeper who shot it states that he trapped a bird of the same species in September, 1863, but that it broke away on his approach, leaving part of one of its legs in the trap. Oxs.—The Roughlegged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) has occurred in Lanarkshire on the confines of our district, but not, so far as we are aware, within the limits we have prescribed for our- selves. THE HEN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus). Even of greater rarity than the preceding. A solitary pair may yet be seen frequenting some of the wilder moors of Wigtown- shire, but so soon as their whereabouts is discovered, means are used for their destruction. The conspicuous appearance of the male bird against the brown heath, especially during flight, has no doubt tended to the discovery of the nest, and consequent capture of both birds. Keepers, on finding a nest, usually wait until the eggs are hatched, and are in the habit of killing all the young birds except one, which they fasten by the leg to a stake, and thus oblige to remain there, even after being fully fledged until 11 an opportunity occurs for shooting the old birds. This is some- times but too easily accomplished, as they continue bringing prey to the tethered captive long after it should have been hunting the moors on its own account. From a published list of “ vermin” destroyed by Lord Ailsa’s keepers, within a limited area, between 25th June, 1850, and 25th November, 1854, we find that 310 “ash-coloured hawks” were killed in that interval.* Monracu’s HARRIER (Circus Montugui). Our only authority for recording this species is a notice by the late Mr Thompson in his “ Birds of Ireland,” vol. 1., p. 83, where it is stated that a specimen—a male bird—was shot on a moor near Ballantrae in 1836, STRIGIDA. THE LONG-EARED OWL (Olus vulgaris). Sparingly distributed in Ayrshire, and some parts of Wigtown- shire, frequenting fir woods, especially where the trees are of some age. As a rule, this species is characteristic of the eastern side of Scotland. THE SHORT-EARED OWL (Ofus brachyotos). Well known in the higher grounds, where it probably breeds, although we have not heard of any authentic discovery of its nest of late years. It formerly bred on the moors above Portpatrick. This bird occasionally takes voluntary flights by day, and appears to hunt over turnip and potato fields in quest of field mice, thus proving itself a useful friend to the farmer. THE WHITE OR BARN OWL (Strix flaminea). This beautiful owl is not uncommon, taking up its abode in ruined castles, which are numerously scattered throughout Ayr- shire. Some of these ruins are situated in very romantic places * To show the ignorant and indiscriminate nature of the slaughter referred to, we may state that the list likewise includes thirty-three “Fern Owls,” catalogued as offenders, with Brown Owls, Horned Owls, and Barn Owls—all innocent of the destructive propensities ascribed to them. Making the usual allowance for the proverbial diligence of keepers in general, we cannot but regard the destruction of the poor Nightjar as the result of a melancholy, but fortunately unusual, ignorance of the bird’s habits. 12 on the borders of desolate moors, and the banks of fertile glens, where the bird is alike at home, trusting to the nearest clachan or homestead for a sufficient supply of its favourite prey. THE TAWNY OWL (Syrnium stridula). Frequently obtained, It seems to prefer woods where the trees are of some height, but its nest is seldom more than a few feet from the ground. It is merely a handful of withered leaves laid in a cavity where the larger branches diverge from the main trunk. The tawny owl is often procured by parties practising shooting at rooks. We have long noticed the partiality of this owl for rookeries. THE SNowy OwL (Surnia nyctea). A splendid male bird of this species was shot near Kilmarnock in February, 1863, and exhibited by Dr Colquhoun at a meeting of the Natural History Society of Glasgow. It may not be out of place to state that two other examples of the snowy owl occurred in the Firth of Clyde about the same time. One of these, captured near Greenock, is now in the collection of Mr W. C. Angus, Aberdeen. Ops.—The Hawk Owl (Surnia funerea), having twice occurred near the Clyde estuary, is likely to be met with accidentally in our district. Examples of this bird, no doubt, find their way to the shores of Scotland by means of Clyde ships, on which they alight when at a considerable distance from land, and remain until nearing the coast. INSESSORES. DENTIROSTRES GREAT GREY SHRIKE (Lanius excubitor). LANIADA. It is only of late years that the grey shrike has appeared in our district, or indeed in any part of the West of Scotland. Mr Oliver Eaton, bird preserver, Kilmarnock, has informed us that he preserved a specimen which was shot on the Kilkerran estate on 10th December, 1868, by George Blacklaw, gamekeeper there, and Mr Gray has examined two which were obtained near Kil- birnie in 1863. It has likewise been shot in Renfrewshire on one or two occasions. This species is now a regular winter visitant to the eastern counties of Scotland. MUSCICAPID. THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa grisola). A quiet and unobtrasive species, generally distributed. It builds in gardens, sometimes close to dwelling-houses; at other times in rocky niches, and on the main stems of trees at a distance from such habitations. It feeds upon various insects, including moths and butterflies, and is fond of a conspicuous perch from which it can easily detect its passing prey. MERULIDA. THe ComMon Dipper (Cinclus aquaticus). Very common on most of the rivers and streams of both counties, on the banks of which it breeds in various situations. We have seen its nest on inaccessible walls of rock, underneath bridges, in abrupt banks, on moss-covered rocky boulders, and in holes of trees. In severe winters the families of the previous summer appear to re-assemble, and forage together at open pools. We have noticed as many as five perched on the ice, and diving into holes broken by ourselves to admit of their access to the water. One of these birds frequented for some months the beams of a wooden bridge thrown across the water of Girvan at Enoch farm. It roosted every night in the same spot, and its first act in the morning was to take a “header” into the stream, and re-appear at a little distance from the bridge, after which it flew off to its ordinary haunts. Tue MisseL THrusH (Turdus viscivorus). Now tolerably common, although a somewhat rare bird thirty years ago. Flocks of ten or twelve assemble in autumn, and frequent the fields about the time the crops are gathered. They seem partial to potato lands. It is now a very common species in the neighbourhood of Girvan. We observed about twenty feeding daily on Knock-a-vallie, near the shore, in June, 1869. THE FIELDFARE (Turdus pilaris). A familiar winter visitant, resorting to the coast line in hard weather, where it turns over the rejectamenta left by the tides in search of larve, etc. 14 THE Sone TurusH (Turdus musicus). Generally distributed. Near Girvan it resorts, during the autumn months, to the sea-shore, frequenting pasture lands in the immediate vicinity, and feeding on a small species of helix con- spicuously plentiful at that season. It breeds upon Ailsa Craig, where its song may be heard strangely in contrast to the other sounds of various quality to be heard on that lonely rock. THE REDWING (Turdus iliacus). A winter visitant, appearing about the same time as the Field- fare, and associating with it in its shore haunts. THE BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula). Abundant. Between Girvan and Ballantrae numbers of these birds may be seen, after the breeding time is past, frequenting the beach, and seeking refuge on hot days below the rocky boulders. We have ejected as many as fifteen and eighteen blackbirds from underneath one rock. This species 1s found on Ailsa Craig, where it breeds. Dr Anderson found a nest with five eggs built in one of the turret holes of the old castle a few years ago. THe Ringe OvzeEL (Turdus torquatus). A very common species on many of the wildest moorland tracts of Ayrshire, but much less common in Wigtownshire, as far as our own observations enable us to judge. Mr Anderson has observed it frequenting his garden at Girvan late in autumn. This species migrates southward as winter approaches. Mr M‘Donald, one of the keepers at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, captures an occa- sional specimen on the lantern about the time the flocks are quitting Scotland. SYLVIDA. THE HEDGE ACCENTOR (Accentor modularis). The confiding Shufilewing is everywhere known. It lives upon Ailsa Craig, among the kittiwakes and guillemots, and jerks about among the rugged stones as contentedly as if in the near neighbourhood of a stack yard. THE REDBREAST (Erythaca rubecula). Abundant. ) 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. LARIDAL. 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.” ~ 52 Tue Common TERN (Sterna hirundo). A comparatively common species in the Firth of Clyde, but a very few pairs only breed with us. THe Arctic TERN (Sterna arctica). More common than the preceding species. At low water occasional specimens are seen along the shore near Girvan, picking up the slender fishes on which they feed. Mr Anderson came upon a small flock of these birds some years ago in very peculiar cir- cumstances. He was driving his dog-cart within a mile of Girvan one winter afternoon, during a thick fall of snow, when the terns suddenly made their appearance, flapping around the horse’s ears. Using his whip vigorously, he struck down three of the birds, and captured them. THE Lesser TERN (Sterna minuta). So far as we can ascertain, this beautiful species is of somewhat rare and uncertain occurrence in either county. It is probably found every year in limited flocks when travelling southwards from their breeding stations, but these are nowhere numerous on the west coast. Mr Eaton, of Kilmarnock, has in his collection a specimen in the first month’s plumage, which was shot on the Water of Irvine a few years ago. THE BLack TERN (Sterna fissipes). Of very rare occurrence. It has been observed on one or two occasions, and in one instance at least a specimen has been obtained. The bird referred to was shot on 29th August, 1868, at Broadstone, near Stranraer, and preserved by Mr M‘Omish, bird-stuffer there. THE LITTLE GULL (Larus minutus). In the Transactions of the Wernerian Society of Edinburgh it is recorded by Mr Selby that a specimen of this bird was procured in Wigtownshire. No other example of the species has come under our observation. THE BLACK-HEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus). A very abundant species throughout both counties. There are many breeding stations in our district—such as Loch Doon in 53 Ayrshire—which are frequented by thousands of birds; and as the egos are not farmed out as in England, these nurseries are seldom invaded, except by mischievous boys in quest of adventure, or some prowling fox desirous of giving her cubs a change of diet. In the heat of the summer months we have often observed a pair or two of this gull hunting over the potato fields near Girvan with great regularity, and picking up worms and snails, thus proving themselves useful friends of the farmer. One of these birds is at present living as a familiar pet in a house at Girvan, where it has been confined for the last thirteen years. It assumes the black cap regularly, like a wild bird, in spring, and becomes white in winter. THE KITTIWAKE GULL (Larus tridactylus). This beautiful gull is very common along the shores of Ayrshire during the spring months. In May the flocks assemble on Ailsa Craig, their chief breeding place, and become dispersed after the duties of incubation are past. The greater number migrate to other countries in the month of October, but many remain throughout the entire winter. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that these winter birds are visitants from more northern latitudes. In the Firth of Clyde they are seen in flocks near the beach and in harbours, where they appear to subsist principally upon the remains of fish, and other substances thrown out by the fishermen. THE Ivory Gui (Larus eburneus). Although the ivory gull has never, to our knowledge, been actually obtained in our district, there can be little doubt of its having occurred off the coasts. Various examples have been met with in surrounding localities, namely, Islay, Argyleshire, Arran, and Renfrewshire. In June, 1854, Mr William Sinclair saw an ivory gull on Ailsa Craig, and was near enough to recognise it. THE COMMON GULL (Larus canus). Also a very common species, breeding on Ailsa Craig, the Scaur Rocks, and the Mull of Galloway. They also nest by the side of some of the inland lochs in Wigtownshire. It is a well known frequenter of the beach near Girvan from September to April. 54 THE ICELAND GULL, OR LESSER WHITE-WINGED GULL (Larus Icelandicus). Has been repeatedly observed on Ailsa Craig. The late Mr Thompson procured two specimens from Ballantrae, and the species has been observed by Mr Gray in other parts of Ayrshire. It appears to be an indolent bird during the day time, admitting of a near approach, and consequently, where it does occur, it is not difficult to obtain. THE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus). Extremely common throughout our district, breeding upon Ailsa Craig in great numbers, and also on the borders of the Castle Loch, and other similar patches of water im Wigtownshire. In the harvest months great numbers betake themselves to grass fields at some distance inland about nightfall, and remain there until daybreak, when they again get on wing, and repair to the sea shore. In wild weather, however, they linger in the field until the day is well advanced, and come back in the afternoon much earlier, taking up their old position, as if reluctant to expose themselves to the storm. This bird, like the black-headed gull, is often seen at Girvan beating over the potato fields daily in the middle of summer, and alighting every minute or so to pick up the snails, worms, and caterpillars for which it so diligently searches. THE HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus). The herring gull is a very common species throughout the year, but appears to be strictly confined to the sea coast. In the breeding season it haunts the cliffs at the Mull of Galloway, the Scaur Rocks, and Ailsa Craig. This bird is a notorious egg-lifter, and will even devour young grouse, and other game, when it gets an opportunity. On Ailsa Craig it rivals in this respect, if it does not exceed in rapacity, its congener, the lesser black-back, and pounces upon the unprotected eggs of the guillemot or razor- bill with unfailing success. The curlew, and its kindred, are equally molested during the breeding time. In the winter season they subsist entirely on what the sea shore affords them. THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus). This bird has even a worse reputation than the preceding 55 species. It is hardly so common with us, but is still sufficiently numerous to form an important item in the bird life of our district. At Girvan we have observed several pairs coming apparently from Ailsa Craig, and proceeding with strong-winged beats, high in the air, in the direction of some of the largest sheep farms on the hills, and have watched their raven-like flight until they disappeared beyond the top of the Saugh Hill. Their prey, we doubt not, was variously suggestive. THE POMERINE SKUA (Lestris pomarinus). This species, easily recognised by its superior bulk from Richardson’s skua, has been observed in various parts of Ayrshire. It has, according to the late Mr Thompson, occurred at Ballantrae, and Mr Gray has observed it off the coast on more than one occasion. It has likewise been obtained in Wigtownshire. RICHARDSON’S SKUA (Lestris Richardsonii). Occasionally observed along shore chasing the sea gulls. It visits Ailsa Craig early in the season—probably before retiring to its breeding quarters—and delights in molesting the kittiwakes, among whom he is a most unwelcome intruder. About this time also it scours the coast line as far as the Mull of Galloway in the same pursuit, but is seldom or never observed in June, July, or August, when the birds are hatching. Burron’s Skua (Lestris.Buffonii). Can only be ranked with us as a rare straggler. The last and most recent specimen coming under our observation was one shot on the Cree, near Newton-Stewart, in the spring of 1863. THE MANX SHEARWATER (Puffinus anglorum). As this bird seldom approaches the coast nearer than a mile’s distance, it is not often observed, except by those who go in quest of birds, or are interested in their movements. It may, however, be seen regularly passing and repassing even as late as the end of June. ‘There are probably no breeding stations of this species nearer us than the islands of Mull, Staffa, or Iona; yet it is possible that they may extend their daily excursions to the Ayr- shire coast, as their flight is extremely easy and buoyant. 56 THE FORK-TAILED PETREL (Thalassidroma Leachii). Occasionally cast on shore in rough weather. A specimen was taken at Stranraer in the winter of 1863. In the west of Scot- land generally this species is found to be about as numerous as the storm petrel. THE StorM Perret (Thalassidroma pelagica). During the severest winter storms, this diminutive bird of the ocean occasionally loses its reckoning, and is blown on shore. We have seen specimens taken at Kilbirnie and Kilmarnock, and other towns at scme distance inland. It breeds in limited numbers on Ailsa Craig; and we have seen it flying in small groups about midway between that rock and the mainland. CONCLUDING REMARKS. In closing this catalogue of the Birds of Ayrshire and Wig- townshire, we cannot withhold the expression of a belief, in which we trust that most persons interested in ornithological pursuits will readily join, that the time has now arrived when the protec- tion of various classes of birds has become a paramount duty. We have only to consider the vast diminution of species that has taken place during the last thirty years in order to learn the mis- chief that has resulted from one cause alone—viz., the over-zealous destruction of creatures that are supposed to be enemies to game. In the exercise of their daily avocations, gamekeepers throughout the whole of these districts have, in fact, done more to thin our bird population than any other class of men. Birds of prey especially have suffered to an almost inconceivable extent—eagles, falcons, buzzards, hawks, and owls having been subjected to such continual persecution as to be now in some places on the verge of extinction as native species. Making due allowance for the ravages committed by some of the Raptorial and Corvine species, we believe that many of the birds which fall victims to the game preserver’s vengeance are totally innocent of the charges laid against them. Owls, for example, are for the most part guiltless—their principal prey consisting of rats, mice, and other vermin that require to be kept in check. Nightjars and dippers are also harmless; and even the Kestrel faleon, which shares the fate of the hooded crow or the polecat, is not only harmless but useful as a devourer of mice and beetles, thus proving itself a friend instead of an enemy. 57 But apart from these considerations, it must be admitted that the destruction of certain groups of birds tends to derange that nicely-balanced harmony which is everywhere apparent in the dominion of Nature. Ample proof of this has been experienced in our own country, where the banishment of owls has been known to result in an inordinate increase of the various species of field mice, which constitute the ordinary food of these useful birds, and also in other countries, where the disappearance of insectivorous species has been followed by insect plagues—these examples, and many others which could be cited, tending to shew that Nature’s plans are, at least, incapable of amelioration through man’s interference. To advocate the protection of eagles and falcons, therefore, for a time at least, would appear to us to be but a reasonable duty ; and to influence our landed proprietors, with whom the power chiefly lies, in their favour, we would regard as only a just com- pensation for injuries already inflicted. It is certainly a matter of regret that some of our Scottish proprietors should actually have lent their influence against the protection of bird life. From these nothing can be expected but an unwilling obedience to laws already enacted for the preservation of certain maritime species that throw themselves entirely on the mercy of man during the breeding season; and naturalists may indeed congratulate themselves that the recent opposition brought to bear against the passing of this humane and salutary law was signally defeated. We still cling to the hope that similar enactments may yet be framed for the protection of land birds, from the soaring eagle to the timid thrush; and until this takes place, proprietors would earn the gratitude of all true naturalists by resolving to discontinue the deadly practice of exterminating what their keepers have branded as vermin, and let our woods, fields, and mountain sides regain what has now for many years been wanting to give a charm to some of the finest, and, at the same time, the wildest scenery in the British Islands. In a volume of 220 pages now before us, relating to the “Game Laws of the principal States of the United States and Canada,” we find that Section VI. of the laws of the State of New York pro- vides for the protection of a large number of land birds, including the eagle, fish hawk, night hawk, whip-poor-will, swallow, oriole, woodpecker, bobolink, or any other harmless bird. The penalty for violating the provisions of this Act is stated at fifty dollars for H 58 each offence, and it may be presumed that the exemption in favour of naturalists desirous of studying their habits or history and having them preserved as cabinet specimens, will commend itself to the most fastidious collector. Such an Act, if applied to our own country, would operate favourably in many ways, and lead to a restoration of bird life that would prove welcome not only to students of nature but to those very persons who, under a mistaken prejudice, are at this moment its worst enemies. Believing that its insertion here may serve a good purpose, we take the opportunity of furnishing our readers with a copy of the “Sea Birds Preservation Bill,” which became law throughout Great Britain on the 24th of June last. An Act for the Preservation of Sea Birds.—[{24th June, 1869.] 32 and 33 Victoria, Chap. 17. WHEREAS the sea birds of the United Kingdom have of late years greatly decreased in number; it is expedient therefore to provide for their protection during the breeding season: Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same: 1. That the words “sea birds” shall for all the purposes of this Act be deemed to include the different species of auk, bonxie, Cornish chough, coulterneb, diver, eider duck, fulmar, gannet, erebe, guillemot, gull, kittiwake, loon, marrot, merganser, murre, oyster catcher, petrel, puffin, razor bill, scout, seamew, sea parrot, sea swallow, shearwater, shelldrake, skua, smew, solan goose, tarrock, tern tystey, and willock; the word “sheriff” shall include steward and also sheriff substitute and steward substitute. 2. Any person who shall kill, wound, or attempt to kill or wound, or take any sea bird, or use any boat, gun, net, or other engine or instrument for the purpose of killing, wounding, or taking any sea bird, or shall have in his control or possession any sea bird recently killed, wounded, or taken, between the first day of April and the first day of August in any year, shall, on cOnvic- tion of any such offence before any justice or justices of the peace in England or Ireland, or before the sheriff or any justice or 59 justices of the peace in Scotland, forfeit and pay for every such sea bird so killed, wounded, or taken, or so in his possession, such sum of money not exceeding one pound as to the said justices or sheriff shall seem meet, together with the costs of the conviction ; provided always, that this section shall not apply where the said sea bird is a young bird unable to fly. 3. The Home Office as to Great Britain, and the Lord Lieutenant as to Ireland, may, upon application of the justices in quarter sessions assembled of any county on the sea coast, extend or vary the time during which the killing, wounding, and taking of sea birds is prohibited by this Act; the extension or variation of such time by the Home Office shall be made by order under the hand of one of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State; after the making of which order the penalties imposed by this Act shall in such county apply only to offences committed during the time specified in such order; and the extension of such time by the Lord Lieutenant shall be made by order to be published in the Dublin Gazette, and a copy of the London Gazette or Dublin Gazette containing such order shall be evidence of the same having been made. 4, Where any person shall be found offending against this Act, it shall be lawful for any person to require the person so offending to give his Christian name, surname, and place of abode; and in case the person offending shall, after being so required, refuse to give his real name or place of abcde, or give an untrue name or place of abode, he shall be liable, on being convicted of any such offence before a justice of the peace or the sheriff, to forfeit and pay, in addition to the penalties imposed by section two, such sum of money not exceeding two pounds as to the convicting justice or sheriff shall seem meet, together with the costs of the conviction. 5. One moiety of every penalty or forfeiture under this Act shall go and be paid to the person who shall inform and prosecute for the same, and the other moiety shall, in England, be paid to some one of the overseers of the poor, or to some other officer, (as the convicting justice or justices may direct,) of the parish, township, or place in which the offence shall have been committed, to be by such overseer or officer paid over to the use of the general rate of the county, riding, or division in which such parish, township, or oOo? place shall be situate, whether the same shall or shall not contribute 60 to such general rate; and, in Scotland, to the inspector of the poor of the parish in which the offence shall have been committed, to be by such inspector paid over to the use of the funds for the relief of the poor in such parish; and, if recovered in Ireland, such penalty shall be applied according to the provisions of the Fines Act (Ireland), 1851, or any Act amending the same. 6. All offences mentioned in this Act, which shall be committed within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty, shall be deemed to be offences of the same nature and liable to the same punishments as if they had been committed upon any land in the United Kingdom, and may be dealt with, inquired of, tried, and determined in any county or place in the United Kingdom in which the offender shall be apprehended or be in custody, in the same manner in all respects as if they had been actually committed in that county or place; and in any information or conviction for any such offence the offence may be averred to have been committed ‘on the high seas”; and in Scotland any offence committed against this Act on the sea coast, or at sea beyond the ordinary jurisdiction of any sheriff or justice of the peace, shall be held to have been committed in any county abutting on such sea coast, or adjoining such sea, and may be tried and punished accordingly. 7. Where any offence under this Act is committed in or upon any waters forming the boundary between any two counties, districts of quarter sessions or petty sessions, such offence may be prosecuted before any justice or justices of the peace or sheriff in either of such counties or districts. 8. The operation of this Act shall not extend to the island of Saint isilda. 9. It shall be lawful for Her Majesty, by an Order of Council, where, on account of the necessities of the inhabitants of the more remote parts of the sea coasts of the United Kingdom, it shall appear desirable, from time to time to exempt any part or parts thereof from the operation of this Act; and every such Order shall assign the limits of such part or parts aforesaid within which such exemption shall have effect. Two years ago a similar law, transgressors of which are visited by a penalty of £5, was passed by the Manx House of Keys for the protection chiefly of sea gulls, on the plea that these birds were 61 found to be of great service in removing dead fish and other animal remains from the shores; in guiding the fishermen to the fish shoals in the exercise of their usual occupation; and in acting as warning signals to mariners during the prevalence of fogs at a time when the precipitous headlands and other rocky ledges are occupied by the birds for breeding purposes; so that, apart from mere motives of humanity, the preservation of sea fowl may involve other questions of public utility. The larger gulls are well known as sea side scavengers, consuming quantities of garbage that might, if not removed, prove both injurious and offensive; and the united clamour of a legion of guillemots during the time they are hatching upon the rocks is sufficient in itself to prove a friendly warning to the bewildered seaman who hears the sound at a considerable distance, and so avoids the danger of closer contact. In connection with the district to which many of the sea fowl in this catalogue are annual visitants, the chief evil appeared to us to be the wholesale slaughter that was yearly practised on Ailsa Craig—a breeding place which, in extent and importance, ranks next to St Kilda and Barra Head in the British islands. For the last twenty years this celebrated bird hive has, to our knowledge, been, with but a short interval of quiet, the scene of yearly invasion and systematic destruction that seemed to carry with it but a poor palliation in the low sum received as rent from the tacksman; and in the belief apparently that the proprietor could hardly be aware cf the perpetration of so much cruelty, a writer in the Zimes drew public attention to the locality, as one affording a good plea why the contemplated Bill should be extended to Scotland. The exposure, however, elicited nothing more from those by whom the island has for some years been farmed, than a series of curious revelations, used, no doubt, as defensive arguments, but all directly admitting, although in some- what contradictory terms, that “considerable numbers,” and, in some instances, heavy “boat loads,” had been sent shorewards; that solan geese suffered equally with the other species; that it was necessary to keep down the numbers of the birds to save the interests of the local fishermen from being absolutely destroyed (an admission which of itself involves the necessity of an extra- ordinary bird sacrifice); and that, in spite of the long-continued destruction that had been practised to keep their numbers within due bounds, no perceptible diminution had taken place. From 62 data in our possession, noted from personal observation, and that of some of our friends—members of the Natural History Society of Glasgow—we are enabled to affirm positively that as many as 1800 birds of all kinds have been strangled during the course of a single week, and that for eight or ten seasons in succession, especially during the tenure of the rock by the tacksman of 1853, and several subsequent years, the weekly number taken out of the nets could not be estimated at less than 150 dozen. With this statement we dismiss the subject, as one which, for the credit of the district, we hope may not require further exposure. Waiving this digression, therefore, we think that, in common fairness, to adduce no stronger argument, birds of all kinds should have a “close time” during the season of incubation. It is not right that any class of creatures should be killed when brooding on their eggs, or exposing themselves to danger in the protection of their defenceless young. In the case of birds especially, many species wholly throw aside their usual wariness at such a season; and as regards isolated places like Ailsa Craig, exposed as they are to the plundering visits of heartless pleasure seekers, no one, we think, will ever call in question the wisdom or humanity of providing for their future protection. GLASGOW: PRINTED BY A. K. MURRAY AND CO. BIRDS OF AYRSHIRE AND WIGTOWNSHIRE BY : ROPE eae 9 THE NATURAL HISTOR AND KOS ee ANDERSON NDING ME. OF THE N WITH A LITHOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION GLASGOW: THOMAS MURRAY AND SON MDCCCLXIX yi uv In the Press, and will shortly be Published, Demy 8v0, Price 7s. 6d., } BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND THE OUTER HEBRIDES WITH OCCASIONAL RECORDS OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THE RARER SPECIES THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND GENERALLY. BY ROBERT GRAY SECRETARY TO THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW ; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA ; AND OF THE DUMFRIESSHIRE AND GALLOWAY NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, ETC., ETC. WITH FOURTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY WM. SINCLAIR; J. GILES, A.B.8.A, ; C. N. WOOLNOTH, W.S.A.; J. R, PRENTICE; AND THE AUTHOR, DRAWN ON STONE BY FRANK BOTT, Subscribers’ Names will be recewed by Tuos. 8. Hurcuxson, 31 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. 5 tee ee we = t= eee AS peer a fab ees Sieh _ ' i iad 4. eee