142 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. IX. 



152. The Black-headed Gull breeds on inland 

 lakes in great numbers. 



153. The Kittiwake Gull breeds on the rocky 

 cliffs of Handa and elsewhere. 



154. The Common Gull breeds also in great 

 numbers on the rocky coasts and on different islands. 



155. The Greater black-backed Gull, and 



156. The Lesser black-backed Gull, breed in great 

 numbers on different lochs : I particularly observed 

 both kinds on Loch Laighal. No doubt many 

 other species of the sea-gull and skua, besides a 

 great variety of wild-fowl, visit this county at dif- 

 ferent seasons ; but I am determined only to enu- 

 merate those that I have seen myself No part of 

 Britain, or indeed scarcely of Europe, is better 

 adapted for a resting-place for migratory birds on 

 their way to and from their more northern breeding- 

 places ; and the extensive lakes and wilds afford 

 shelter to many that are not generally known to 

 remain in Britain during the summer. The nume- 

 rous bays and inlets of the sea, leaving at low water 

 great tracts of sand and mud, afford food during 

 the winter for innumerable wild-fowl and waders. 



Many of the finer kinds both of land and water- 

 birds certainly are becoming almost extinct, being 

 hunted down by both gamekeepers and egg-dealers, 

 the latter being frequently a set of mercenary and 

 ignorant men, deceived themselves and deceiving 



