310 BIRDS OF ARRAN. 



BLACKHEADED GULL (Larus ridibundus). Very common. 

 It has not, however, been recognized as breeding in any of 

 the islands. 



KITTIWAKE (Larus tridactylus). Plentiful along the 

 coast, and remaining throughout the winter in considerable 

 numbers. 



IVORY GULL (Larus ebumeus). A specimen of this rare 

 gull was shot near Lamlash in September, 1866. 



COMMON GULL (Larus canus). Plentiful. It breeds on 

 Loch Ghnuis, and also on Loch Tanna. 



ICELAND GULL (Larus Icelandicus). Mr. Thompson, in 

 his work on the Birds of Ireland, mentions that his friend 

 Mr. Sinclaire had seen six or eight Iceland gulls near 

 Brodick, in Arran, many years ago. They were extremely 

 tame. In the Birds of the West of Scotland I have stated 

 that this species is a regular visitant to the Clyde, and I 

 still entertain that belief. A specimen in the plumage of 

 the first year was shot on Gourock Moor, and sent to Mr. 

 Thomson, of the Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow, on 20th 

 March, 1872. The keeper who shot it said there were others 

 in its company. 



LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus). Very com- 

 mon. It breeds on various lochs in Arran. About the last 

 week of June the old birds assemble in the sandy bays, while 

 the young ones remain on the moors to forage for themselves. 

 I observed twenty-four of these gulls on the beach at Lam- 

 lash on the 26th June. They were closely huddled together, 

 and I walked up to within twenty paces. They then uttered, 

 while sitting, a series of plaintive notes like gaw or gow, and 

 continued talking in that manner until I put them up. 

 Their cry then changed into a laughing chuckle as they 

 slowly dispersed. 



HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus). Plentiful in all the 

 islands, especially in autumn, after it has quitted Ailsa Craig, 

 where it breeds in great numbers. 



GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus). Tolerably 



