LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 303 



ing stations ; thus, Mr. Yarrell states, the Great 

 Black-backed Gull is on our south-eastern coast 

 a much more rare species than the Lesser Black- 

 backed Gull, and in those districts decidedly a 

 marsh breeder; while the Lesser Black-backed 

 Gull here as constantly resorts to the rocks and 

 cliffs. Generally we have found the nests of the 

 Lesser Black-backed Gull somewhat inland on low 

 lying extensive marshy moors, or on the islands 

 of fresh-water lochs. On Loch Awe we found 

 several pairs breeding on the small islands there, 

 and we were repeatedly told by the boatmen that 

 they sometimes built their nests on the trees ; which, 

 however, we did not see, and at the time scarcely 

 credited, though Mr. Audubon's account of the Her- 

 ring Gull on the Labrador coast, leads us to think 

 that this may sometimes be the case. Colonies were 

 also met with on Lochs Shin and Laighal, in 

 Sutherlandshire. We are aware of several stations 

 where precipitous sea-cliffs are selected ; one on the 

 Solway, which we have often visited, nestles a colony 

 of both Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls, a 

 few only of the nests of the latter being accessible. 

 This gull also follows the course of rivers for many 

 miles inland. During winter, spring, and autumn a 

 few pairs may be constantly seen upon the Annan, 

 fifteen miles from its mouth, passing and repassing 

 daily from the sea ; at this time it is not very shy, 

 and before being disturbed, will sail along the river 

 within shot, only in passing gives utterance to its 

 alarm note. It extends northward to Orkney and 



