NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 199 



abundant were the Common Gull {Larus canus) and the Black- 

 headed Gull (L. ridihiindus), and that the waters of the Forth 

 were literally covered with birds. 



Since that time I have had no information leading me to suppose 

 that these birds had returned to the estuary, at least in any 

 numbers; indeed, during the past autumn, it was remarked that 

 there were but few birds of any kind to be seen, and my own 

 observations, on two occasions, fully corroborated the apparent 

 scarcity. I was therefore gratified, as well as surprised, on 

 learning from Mr Thomson of the Kelvingrove Museum, about a 

 fortnight ago, that between the towns of Alloa and Kincardine the 

 gulls were flying about in thousands. He had just been there, 

 and wished my opinion on some of the birds he had brought home. 

 On visiting Mr Thomson I was hardly prepared for the sight 

 which awaited me, as he had on his table no less than six 

 Glaucous Gulls {L. glaucus) in various stages of plumage, and a 

 number of Kittiwakes (L. tridactylus), a bird which has hitherto been 

 recognised as rather a scarce species during the winter season. 

 Mr Thomson told me that he was indebted to his friend Mr Gibson 

 for having induced him to visit Kincardine ; and as, from the 

 accounts submitted to me, it was evident that the invasion of sea- 

 gulls was no ordinary one, another visit was at once arranged. 



We therefore met on the morning of the 27th December, and 

 took train for Alloa. Our party consisted of Dr Dewar, Mr 

 Gibson, Mr Thomson, and myself. On reaching Kincardine, we 

 found the estuary perfectly packed with birds. The tide being 

 full and a strong gale prevailing at the time, we made up for the 

 disappointment of not having a boat by waylaying the gulls from 

 the embankments, and also from the ferry pier which juts some 

 distance into the water. It was impossible, in fact, to use a boat 

 on account of the storm ; indeed, the best proof I can give of its 

 severity, is to mention that one of the Newhaven fishing-boats was 

 lost not far from where we stood, and a crew of four persons 

 drowned. 



Taking up our stations, in the first place, on the pier, Mr 

 Gibson had the good fortune to bring down the first Glaucous 

 Gull — an immature bird. As it fell into the water, four of the 

 bystanders — either ferrymen or fishermen — volunteered to retrieve 

 it, but I must say I never saw so many experienced rowers 

 have their strength put to so severe a test. The distance could 



