634 LARID^. 



sheep' s-\vool, and heather. Nidification commences early 

 in May ; the eggs, usually three in number, being of a 

 yellowish-brown, boldly blotched with slate-grey and umber ; 

 and measuring on the average 3 in. by 2*1 in. ; but if the first 

 clutch is taken, the eggs of the second laying are generally 

 smaller. The Eev. Robert Holdsworth sent the Author word 

 that, from an egg of this species, taken off the Bolt Head- 

 laud by some of the crew of the Vhj'dant, excise-cutter, and 

 kept in a blanket by day, and near the fireplace at night for 

 about ten days, a young Gull was hatched and reared by 

 the crew ; and for many years lived quite tame in the posses- 

 sion of a smith at Dartmouth. It swam in the river every 

 day, and looked out for the fishermen returning from sea, 

 who used to throw small fish to it. This fine species occa- 

 sionally visits the inland waters of our islands, especially 

 when in immature plumage, but the adults seldom go far 

 from the sea, or the tidal portions of rivers. 



The Great Black-backed Gull feeds on fish, and any 

 animal matter ; it has been known to destroy weak lambs ; 

 and young ducks and wounded waterfowl are swallowed 

 whole, or, if too large, are drowned and torn to pieces. It 

 is a terrible destroyer of eggs, and much detested by the 

 proprietors of the localities where the Eider Ducks and other 

 useful birds make their nests ; it is also partial to carrion. 

 Its flight is powerful, and majestic ; and its loud harsh 

 croak, or laugh, easily distinguishes it fi*om every other 

 species. As a proof of its strength, Mr. R. Gray states 

 that one shot on the Fame Islands, at some distance from 

 the water, was found to have swallowed a piece of fish about 

 four inches long, to which had been fastened two hooks and 

 a strong line thirty-seven feet in length, with a stone seven 

 pounds in weight at the end. It has often been stated that 

 this Gull gives timely warning of danger to the Seal, and 

 Mr. A. E. Knox, in his ' Autumn on the Spey ' (p. 84), has 

 given an account of an instance which came under his obser- 

 vation. 



The adult bird in summer has the bill pale yellow, the 

 inferior angle of the under mandible reddish-orange, the whole 



