GLAUCOUS GULL. 491 



In the winter of 1862-63, considerable numbers were seen in North 

 Uist, frequenting chiefly the west side of the island, and the Sound 

 of Harris. In this district distinguished for large tracts of sand 

 and mud at low tides these flocks generally take up their quarters, 

 feeding on stranded fish, and other garbage left by the sea. They 

 seldom or never go inland, but when rough northern storms are 

 blowing the masses of foam over the sands, their usual resting- 

 place, they get on wing and travel along the shore, visiting the 

 sands of Benbecula and South Uist, and returning to their head- 

 quarters when the weather moderates. 



The Glaucous Gull is perhaps more numerous in the Shetland 

 islands than elsewhere in Scotland. In some seasons, ^indeed, it 

 may be said to be abundant there, appearing in very large flocks. 

 Dr Saxby states that shortly after their arrival the greater number 

 of the old birds entirely disappear. The species likewise occurs 

 in Orkney; and southwards of these two groups of islands old 

 birds are generally met with, although I have at various times seen 

 and shot young birds on the Haddingtonshire coast. It is not un- 

 common as a winter visitant to the Cromarty Firth, and from that 

 locality to the coast of Northumberland it cannot be said to be 

 very rare. 



Eegarding its occurrence in Aberdeenshire, Mr Angus writes: 

 " I have never been out in the bay in winter without seeing this 

 bird, which is a very conspicuous object, being more oceanic in 

 its habits than any of its congeners. Along the coast its advent 

 is heralded by the screaming of the other gulls whom it torments 

 and tyrannizes over like the skuas. Even the great black-backed 

 gull must give place to the Burgomaster. In the stomach of one 

 I obtained an immature puffin in a mutilated state but perfectly 

 recognisable, the tail and wings being almost entire. Another, on 

 being wounded, disgorged a large pellet, composed principally of 

 feathers and bones." 



From the same county Mr Alexander Mitchell has very kindly 

 sent me two beautiful specimens of the Glaucous Gull in the flesh: 

 one of these is a splendid male in full adult winter plumage, the 

 other apparently a young bird of the second year. The former 

 measures in length 32 inches, extent of wing 5 feet 6 inches; the 

 latter 27 inches in length, and extent of wing 61 J inches. Both 

 birds were shot on the coast near Aberdeen in the last week of 

 December, 1870. 



