CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 188 



As the autumn advances, the old birds and their 

 broods betake themselves to the salt-water firths, where 

 they feed .on any stranded fish that are cast up by the 

 tide, or the wounded fowl that escape from the punt- 

 gunners. 



After gaining a living for a time in this manner, they 

 no sooner observe a punt setting up to a flock of wild 

 fowl, than, in expectation of a good dinner, they com- 

 mence flying round the birds with loud screams, and 

 not unfrequently, if hungry, darting down and spoiling 

 the shot. 



If plentiful, they generally become such constant 

 attendants that it is impossible for the gunners to 

 obtain a chance by day. On several occasions I have 

 seen wounded fowl (both Mallard and Wigeon) fly from 

 the attacks of the Gulls, and attempt to seek safety by 

 returning and pitching in the water within a few yards 

 of the punt. Small birds, such as Plover, are fre- 

 quently carried off from under the very nose of the 

 shooter, if falling in the water where they cannot 

 readily be recovered. 



The specimens in the case were obtained at a small 

 sandy island, in Loch Shin, in Sutherland, in July, 

 1868. 



GREAT BLACK-BACK GULL. (IMMATURE.; 



Case 235. 



The adult specimens, represented as attacking 

 the Highland lamb, are only introduced to illustrate 

 the destructive habits of this rapacious bird. 



A weakly Ewe is no sooner discovered than she 

 is set upon, and after being either forced into some 

 crevice among the rocks, or slowly butchered by 

 thrusts from their powerful bills, the Lamb next 

 falls an easy victim. 



