COMMON GULL. 483 



occurred in Scotland oftener than once. Ornithologists would do 

 well, therefore, to write down a full description, and accurate 

 measurements, of all such gulls while in a fresh state which may 

 come under their observation in future. 



This variety, which was first described by Bruch (see Cab. 

 Journ., 1855, p. 287) is stated by that writer to resemble 

 P. eburnea in all its parts, but to be somewhat smaller, besides 

 having the wings longer and reaching two times beyond the tail. 

 Bonaparte, on the other hand, as pointed out in Professor Baird's 

 work on the Birds of North America, " makes it identical with 

 L. niveus of Brehm, to which he gives precedence, and describes it 

 as similar to P. eburnea, but whiter and handsomer; as being 

 larger than that species, and having a shorter bill, which is yellow, 

 with the point orange."* 



THE COMMON, GULL. 

 LARUS CANUS. 



THE breeding places of the Common Gull are similar to those 

 selected by the lesser black-backed gull : they are found alike on 

 the grassy summits of precipitous rocks in or near the sea, and 

 on moorland lochs at some distance inland, sometimes even on the 

 highest mountain ranges. Mr Sinclair has seen a large colony on 

 Ben Eadden, about 1800 feet above the level of the sea, and its nur- 

 series are often found on desolate moors, especially in the central 

 islands of the Outer Hebrides, where there are no suitable cliffs to 

 occupy. The islets in the Sound of Harris are also frequented 

 during the breeding season by this bird ; and on Islay and Mull 

 it often resorts to islets in fresh water lakes for nesting purposes. 

 The same remark applies to the species in many parts of Suther- 

 landshire and Argyleshire. 



In some of the midland counties this species is frequently 

 observed in great numbers crossing the country from east to west, 

 and often flying at a considerable height in the air; but they have 

 never, so far as I am aware, been seen going in a contrary direc- 

 tion. Occasionally large flocks travel inland in stormy weather 



* Sir William Jardine writes (of date 18th December, 1869) that he has again 

 looked at the bird in his collection, and that he certainly thinks it distinct from 

 L. nircus. 



