144 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



The rapid growth of this colony is remarkable, and proves 

 that, free from molestation, the gulls will rapidly increase. 

 I am credibly informed that in 1894 or thereabouts, two 

 collectors carried away more than 250 eggs. Probably from 

 1 895-1905 the gulls were much disturbed, for in 1907 it is 

 reported that not more than thirty pairs were breeding there. 

 No information is available until 1914, when no marked 

 increase was observed ; but three years later more nests 

 and eggs than usual were found. Especially in 192 1 I noted 

 an increase, the gulls breeding at various sites in the vicinity 

 of this loch. 



A party (possibly from Black Linn) appeared at Burn- 

 crooks Reservoir in 1917, and has continued to breed there 

 in good numbers, while in 1919 a colony of fifty to sixty 

 birds was established across the boundary on Auchineden 

 Moor in Stirlingshire. A large number breeding on Strath- 

 leven Moor was first reported in 1919. From 1910-1918 

 a few Black-headed Gulls bred, occasionally, at Carbeth 

 Loch. It is worth noting that the gullery at Craigmaddie, 

 near Milngavie, has increased to over 400 pairs, despite the 

 taking of many eggs. Baker Loch has not been colonised 

 of recent years, although a few pairs attempt nesting. The 

 one-time prosperous gullery at Lily Loch has been almost 

 wiped out. In 191 5 more than twenty-five pairs bred, in 

 192 1 one pair nested, but the eggs were taken by trespassers 

 on Duncomb (1313 ft). 



The date of the colonisation of Cochno Loch is too 

 indefinite to be reliable. Forty years ago " only a few 

 dozen nested " ; and some twelve years later more than 

 fifty pairs bred. From 1895- 1900 the eggs were taken year 

 after year, until in 1903 most of the breeding birds went 

 over to Edinbarnet Loch, where a colony had been estab- 

 lished many years previously. However, in 1919, a fairly 

 large number nested on the island. I am informed that 

 in 1914 many moved northwards to Black Linn. In 1918 

 about twelve pairs bred, in the following year and 1920 only 

 a few attempted to nest, and in 192 1 only one nest with 

 eggs was found. Adjoining Cochno Loch is Edinbarnet 

 or Jaw Loch (a reservoir), commonly believed to have been 



