476 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



LARUS RIDIBUNDUS. 



Ceann-Dhuban. 



THIS beautiful gull is very abundant in the West of Scotland, 

 extending to all the outer islands. Its breeding haunts are also 

 numerous throughout those districts, in which it meets with encour- 

 agement. I have visited many of these on the mainland, and on both 

 groups of islands, and find a great similarity in choice of situation, 

 construction of nests, time of breeding, and general habits of the 

 birds in localities widely apart. The two best known to myself 

 are both within easy reach of Glasgow. One of these interesting 

 nurseries is on a small marshy islet in Hairlaw Loch a patch of 

 water, partly artificial, situated near Neilston Pad, which is 

 within full view of the city. There are perhaps from 500 to 800 

 pairs to be found breeding there every year. The islet is not safe 

 against intrusion, adventurous boys being able in very dry seasons 

 to wade across to it at a point where the water is comparatively 

 shallow even when the loch is full. The gulls, nevertheless, 

 maintain their ground, and manage to rear several hundred 

 young ones yearly. At the time when this colony is in the state 

 of greatest activity the old birds are constantly flying about the 

 neighbouring fields, especially those from which potatoes have 

 been lifted, and picking up worms and beetles, the remains of 

 these being found at almost every nest. I look upon this bird, 

 indeed, as a useful friend to the farmer, in clearing his ground of 

 injurious insects, etc., on which it may generally be seen feeding. 

 At a later stage of the breeding season the old birds fly much 

 longer distances in search of food, until at length the young ones 

 are induced to accompany them either to the sea shore or the 

 vicinity of the river Clyde, where they are still attended and fed, 

 as in the case of the terns. I have seen numbers of fully-fledged 

 young birds perched on stones in the middle of the river Kelvin, 

 and patiently waiting till the old ones brought them what they 

 could find in the water. During the whole of the month of 

 July this river, where it flows through the West End Park of 

 Glasgow, is constantly frequented by these birds, the pure white of 

 their plumage contrasting pleasantly with the foliage of the trees. 



