6974 Birds. 



Black Tern [S. nigra). I know only one instance of its having 

 occurred here. 



Sabine's Gull {Larus Sahini). I had an exciting chase after a 

 specimen, but failed in capturing it ; it was the only one I have seen 

 or heard of here. 



Little Gull (L. minutus). I believe only two specimens have been 

 met with. 



Masked Gull [L. capistratus). I am informed that two of these 

 birds were killed about thirty years ago. 



Blackheaded Gull {L. ridibundus). Like the common and arctic 

 terns, this species, although it has no breeding-grounds with us, 

 breeds on either side in great numbers, and is a frequent visitor here, 

 chiefly in spring and autumn. 



Kittiwake [L. tridactylus). Breeds with us, but not in such num- 

 bers as formerly. 



Ivory Gull (Z. ehurneus). A female specimen, shot near here, 

 January 29, 1847, is the only one I am aware of. 



Common Gull (Z. canus). Abundant during winter and spring, and 

 parties may be met with all the year round. I believe it does not 

 breed with us. 



Iceland Gull {L. leucopterus). Sometimes, during winter, a speci- 

 men of this northern bird may be obtained, but mostly in an imma- 

 ture state of plumage. 



Lesser Blackbacked Gull [L. fuscus). Met with now and then, 

 but not in great plenty. It does not nestle here. 



Herring Gull {S. argenlatun). Breeds at Gamrie Head and at 

 Traup. Numbers are taken when young by the fishermen and their 

 children, and brought up quite tame, walking about the villages like 

 poultry. 



Great Blackbacked Gull (Z. marinus). Like his lesser brethren, 

 this gentleman is but a visitor here, and generally before he gets his 

 black coat. 



Glaucous Gull {L. glaucus). A female, in an immature state of 

 plumage, was killed at Gamrie. 



Common Skua {Lestris catarractes) and Richardson's Skua (Z. 

 Richardsoni). Both are to be met with as visitors, the latter the rarer 

 of the two. 



Fulmar Petrel {Procellaria glacialis). An occasional winter visitor. 

 I had a specimen sent me from Gamrie which approached a boat so 

 closely that one of the fishermen knocked it down with an oar ; this 

 was several miles out at sea. 



