490 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



the Holm from the island of Noss. Formerly the gulf was crossed 

 by a cradle or box strung on two parallel ropes which conveyed 

 the shepherd and one sheep across at a time; but the gentleman 

 who farms the island, deeming the crossing in the cradle too 

 hazardous both for man and beast, has taken away the entire 

 apparatus within the last few years. Immediately on this being 

 done, the Great Black-backed Gulls, recognising the impregnability 

 of the Holm, collected on it in great numbers for breeding. When 

 I visited Noss Head in the end of May, 1869, the surface of the 

 Holm was covered with them and their nests. Many hundreds of 

 pairs were incubating on these two acres, and it was interesting to 

 see these usually wily birds seated on their nests, walking about or 

 lying down within gun shot perfectly unconcerned. They seemed 

 fully alive to the impossibility of any one molesting them since the 

 removal of the cradle, and though I fired off my gun, they took 

 little notice of the report." 



As a proof of the extraordinary strength of this gull, I may 

 mention that about four years ago J. H. Trotter, light-keeper at 

 the Fern islands, shot one while on the rocks at some distance 

 from the water, and found on examination that it had 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. At the 

 end of the line there was a stone seven pounds in weight, which 

 the bird had evidently drawn from the water after swallowing the 

 bait. It was afterwards learned that the line had been set by 

 some French fishermen whose vessel was anchored at some distance 

 from the islands. 



THE GLAUCOUS GULL. 



LARUS GLAUCUS. 

 Burgomaster. 



THROUGHOUT the western counties of Scotland this large sea-gull 

 is in general less plentiful than on the eastern shores. It is 

 seldom, indeed, found roaming within the circle of the inner 

 islands, but for the most part remains in the vicinity of the Outer 

 Hebrides. Nor is it even there a regular winter visitor in flocks 

 some seasons passing with only a stray bird or two to represent 

 the migratory companies that at other times visit these islands. 



