The Scottish Naturalist. 5 



140. Larus marinus, Linn. (Great Black-backed Gull.) 



Though never very numerous, the Great Black-backed Gull is 

 well represented on all the lower parts of the Tay, occasionally 

 ascending some way above Perth. Its breeding-grounds nearest 

 to the Tay are the Bass and the Isle of May. The young birds 

 during their first year assume a dark-grey speckled plumage, and 

 formerly, when birds were not so well known as now, they were 

 put down as a different species under the name of the Wagel. In 

 this stage they are common in the river in autumn and winter. 



141. Larus fuscus, Linn. (Lesser Black-backed Gull.) 



In the mature plumage this is not a common bird, but is 

 generally found in the dark-brown stage of the first year, when 

 it is not unfrequent, in autumn and winter, in the tidal parts of 

 the river below Perth. 



Larus glaucus, Brunn. (Glaucous Gull.) 

 Larus islandicus, Edm. (Iceland Gull.) 



Occasional examples of both these birds have been obtained 

 in the lower parts of the Tay. A young Glaucous, mentioned by 

 Mr Nelson as killed last winter near Broughty Ferry, is in the 

 collection of the Dundee Naturalists' Society. 



142. Larus argentatus, Brunn. (Herring Gull.) 



Of all the larger gulls that frequent the Tay, the Herring Gull 

 is perhaps the more common. Young birds of the year in their 

 grey plumage may be frequently seen in winter, mixed with 

 other gulls, picking up garbage in the river both below the 

 Bridge at Perth and in the harbours at Dundee. 



•& v 



143. Larus canus, Linn. (Common Gull.) 



This is a common bird on the Tay, and may be seen in all 

 stages of plumage. In the autumn and spring it assembles in 

 large numbers in the fields in search of grubs, following the 

 plough, and often associated with rooks. 



144. Rissa tridactvla, Bonap. (Kittiwake.) 



The Kittiwake is common on the Tay, especially in the winter 

 months, and is never, like some of the other gulls, to be seen 

 inland, nor does it occur very high up the river. In summer it 

 becomes more scarce, as it then retires to its nearest breeding- 

 grounds on the Redhead, Isle of May, Bass, and St Abb's Head. 



