534 LARUS MARINUS. 



catcher, generally three, are easily known hy liaving their 

 spots darker and more defined tlian those of the smaller Gnll. 

 The wild Geese have nihbled the grass quite bare in most 

 places ; hut their nests are never found in this island. The 

 crew of our boat are running about gathering eggs ; but we 

 have had enough of them, and therefore avc shall return for 

 our guns, and endeavour to procure some specimens of the 

 Great Gull, which even here, in presence of their nests, it is 

 not very easy to do, some of them even having flown far off 

 to sea. 



It is a lovely night in June ; the moon slowly emerges 

 from behind the distant mountains — the northern horizon is 

 still red with the glare of the departed sun — the winds have 

 sunk to rest, and no sound is heard save the faint murmur of 

 the waves that clash over the distant reefs. Yet hark ! the 

 Terns are abroad, and their shrill cries come faintly on the 

 ear, from the far-off sand-point, Avhere, no doubt, they are 

 engaged with a shoal of launces. Listen again ! The Oyster- 

 catchers intermingle their clamorous and curiously modulated 

 cries ,• and now, louder than all, is clearly heard the call of 

 the Black-backed Gull, faintly seen in the dim light. Here 

 is one of his breeding-places, a turf-crowned crag, torn, as it 

 were, from the rocks, and forming an inlet inaccessible to 

 human feet. Creeping stealthily among the crags, we faintly 

 perceive the birds as they sit on their nests ; but some of them 

 have observed us. All spring on their feet, and a few launch 

 into the air, uttering loud cries, which alarm the birds around. 

 It is vain, you perceive, to try to surprise them by night or 

 by day. Wander as long as you will in these places what 

 more can you see ? Perhaps a more acute observer may. 



Dr. Edmondston, however, has favoured me with only a 

 brief notice of his observations. " This species breeds on the 

 flat grassy tops of a few inaccessible holms, or small islands, 

 as the far-famed Cradle-holm of Noss, in considerable num- 

 bers, never in cliffs, and excludes every other bird from such 

 localities. A pair or two, we may sup})ose the melancholy 

 remnant of a more numerous class, may now aiul then be met 

 with on lower and more accessible, but still flat situations. 

 It usually produces three young, which, independently of 



