6 The Scottish Naturalist. 



145. Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Eyton. (Black-headed 



Gull.) 



Of all our gulls this is the most generally spread throughout 

 the whole district, being more of an inland species than any 

 of the others. It is found both in summer and winter, 

 often assembling in large numbers in the fields. In spring, 

 selecting inaccessible marshy spots for its nesting-grounds, it is 

 to be found breeding in many places. A very large nursery, 

 which has been recently formed, is to be seen at the White 

 Myre, at Methven, near Perth, having, owing to improvements 

 lately made on the Dupplin Loch, where for many years they held 

 full sway, deserted it for the above-mentioned place. The change 

 from the white head, which it retains all winter, to the brown 

 cap of the breeding dress, takes place early in March, and is 

 accomplished in an incredibly short time, said to be fully effected 

 in the course of three or four days. The eggs are much sought 

 after, and when they are being collected the noise from the old 

 birds is perfectly deafening. 



146. Actochelidon cantiaca, Kaup. (Sandwich Tern.) 



A few pairs of the Sandwich Tern visit the Tay every sum- 

 mer, and from their strong rapid flight, and hoarse jarring cry, 

 may easily be distinguished from the other terns w T ith which 

 they associate. Though I have not found their nests, I have no 

 doubt but that they breed with us, having noticed them hover- 

 ing over the sands on Tents Muir in the months of June and 

 July in company with the three following : — 



147. Sterna hirundo, Linn. (Common Tern.) 



148. Sterna macrura, Naum. (Arctic Tern.) 



149. Sterna minuta, Linn. (Lesser Tern.) 



All the above are to be found every summer, the two former 

 being the more abundant. The Common Tern is to be often 

 seen on our lochs and upper waters, and the Lesser Tern confines 

 itself more to the sands on Tents Muir, where they, along with 

 the rest, have their breeding-grounds. They are now, however, 

 very scarce to what they used to be. In my earlier days, terns 

 bred in large numbers on the sandhills of Barry, at the mouth 

 of the Tay ; but this locality for them has long been left unten- 

 anted, owing to wanton destruction of their eggs, and from the 

 continued and perpetual disturbance of the old birds during the 



