24 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus). — In 1891, none observed. 

 They are said to have bred on Backasetter Meadows only 

 during the last three years. Twelve birds flew over the Hillwell 

 " cuts," 6th October 1892. I wonder if these are resident birds 

 or migrants. Captain Macfarlane says about twenty pairs bred 

 at Backasetter Meadows this summer, and nine nests were 

 robbed. Saw a few on other occasions about Spiggie and 

 Brow. 



Common Gull {Larus canus). — None seen in 1891. Several seen 

 previous to 3rd October 1892, and one flock on that date. 

 Several seen 10th October, and often afterwards over land and 

 sea. 



Great Black-backed Gull {Larus marinus). — Common. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus). — Common. 



Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). — Commonest of the three 

 species. Thousands congregating in Quendale Bay for about 

 three or four days previous to the 4th October. " Sillock " 

 came into the Bay with the change of wind to the N. 



Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyld). — Hundreds in Quendale Bay, off 

 Garthness, and around the Holms, previous to and also after the 

 change of wind from southerly to northerly, in the end of 

 September 1892. 



Glaucous Gull (Larus glaucus). — In 1892, on 9th October, 

 wind N.E., one Glaucous Gull flew past in a N.W. direction, 

 and I saw the same bird several times afterwards. On 26th 

 October, wind N.W. by W., and in afternoon still more westerly, 

 a migration of Glaucous Gulls was distinctly made out : only 

 stray birds had been noted before, very occasionally. They 

 were passing south in single birds and in pairs. I saw seven 

 in all, one a splendid adult bird. They flew S. or S.S.E. 

 Glaucous Gulls are known and spoken of in Shetland as " Ice- 

 land Gulls." 



Richardson's Skua (Stercorarius crepidatus). — An apparently dis- 

 abled bird, or a gorged bird, on Quendale Links, was added to 

 Mr. A. Forrester's collection. It was in very dark first year's 

 plumage. 



Northern Diver (Colymbus glacialis). — Captain Macfarlane shot 

 one in spring of 1892, and we saw a few in autumn — one in 

 Grutness Voe, and another in Quendale Bay, in October 1892. 



Black Guillemot (Uria grylle). — Very common all around the 

 coasts, and varying in plumage to a great extent. 



Sclavonian Grebe (Podicipes auritus). — Three were shot by us on 

 22nd October 1891, out of a flock of seven on Loch Brow. 



