BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH RONALDSHAY 79 



GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marimts). A few of these birds 

 are always to be seen here, although less common in spring. 

 No appreciable difference in numbers is noticed during winter. 



GLAUCOUS GULL (Larus glaucus). On the loth November 1892 I 

 saw a single bird in mature plumage at the north end of 

 island, and later in the same month I came on another 

 sitting on the shore of the Mill Loch. On the 22nd December 

 I again saw a single bird at the north end, close to Lighthouse. 

 When waiting for duck on the Seal Skerry on gth January of 

 the present year, I counted fifteen on the wing at the same 

 time. All that I have mentioned were in mature plumage. 

 I cannot say that I identified a single bird in the first or second 

 year's plumage, and I think I should have recognised them, 

 even at a distance, as I saw numbers of them, and shot several 

 some years ago, near St. Andrews, Fife. 



ICELAND GULL (Larus leucopterus). I shot one, a female, on 3rd 

 January of this year. This bird, which is the only one I have 

 seen, was shot flying along the east rocks in company with 

 some Herring and Common Gulls. 



COMMON SKUA (Stercorarius catarrhactes]. A specimen of this bird 

 was shot here in 1891 if I am correctly informed, some time 

 during September. It is now in the collection of Mr. Denni- 

 son of West Brough, Sanday. 



POMATORHINE SKUA (Stercorarius pomatorhinns). On 5th Nov- 

 ember 1892, while on a point of rocks (Sromness Point) at the 

 south corner of the island, waiting for Curlews flighting over, 

 I saw a large black-and-white Skua. He was engaged chasing 

 the Gulls, which were fishing a few hundred yards off in the 

 firth. Again, on 29th December, I saw a similar bird not 

 far from the same point. From the shorter tail feathers and 

 greater apparent bulk, thus differing from Richardson's Skua, 

 I have little doubt these were of the above-named species. 

 I may mention that I have shot the Pomatorhine Skua at 

 St. Andrews. 



RICHARDSON'S SKUA (Stercorarius crepidatus]. Commonly seen here 

 during August and September. In 1892 they were oftener 

 noticed than usual. Saw three on 3rd August beating up 

 against a strong wind from the west, flying over the island, 

 just in front of the house. On loth August I shot a single 

 bird in black-and-white plumage at a small loch. After this 

 many were seen, for the most part of the dark variety. 



LITTLE GREBE (Podiceps flumatilis). I shot one (a bird of the year) 

 on Garso Loch on 5th December 1892. This is the only one 

 I have ever seen here. 



