286 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull. — Although stated to be found 

 here in considerable numbers by previous writers, I failed to 

 distinguish the bird. 



Herring Gull. — Fairly common about the islands. It is the 

 greatest robber of the Gannets and Fulmars eggs. 



Common Gull. — Sir Win. Milner states that he procured eggs 

 from Borrera, but I think must have been mistaken, for I never 

 saw a bird of this species there. 



Kittiwake. — Large colonies exist on all the islands. 



Black-headed Gull. — This bird has been once obtained by 

 Mr. J. McKenzie. 



Manx Shearwater. — From the number observed flying at 

 night, I should say this bird is far from common, as generally 

 stated. Although the natives value their eggs at a shilling 

 apiece, only one was obtained by them this year. 



Fulmar. — I found this bird including small pieces of stone 

 with the scanty supply of grass used as materials for their 

 so-called nest, which in the majority of cases was only a bare 

 hollow without any lining. 



Fork-tailed Petrel. — Although this bird is still fairly 

 plentiful, the Wild Birds Protection Act should in some way 

 extend to these islands for their sake ; both the eggs and old 

 birds are always taken by the natives, the latter kept in stockings 

 till the arrival of visitors, when these once beautiful little birds, 

 now starved and mauled, are offered for sale. 



Storm Petrel. — Our stay on Borrera was suddenly checked 

 by the weather before we had time to search for this species, said 

 to be numerous there, as also to occur in Doon and Soa. 



Cormorant. — Sir Wm. Milner mentions his having procured 

 eggs of the Cormorant ; but this is another bird on the list for 

 which I searched in vain. 



Shag. — Fairly numerous. Besides the various breeding 

 colonies on the cliffs, one colony exists at the base of Conagher, 

 under the large quantity of loose boulders and stones that lie on 

 a very slight incline. This spot is also frequented by Bazorbills 

 in large numbers. 



Gannet. — When among the immense colony of these birds 

 on Borrera and its two stacks, I was particularly struck with the 

 natives' disregard for bird-life. They think nothing of casting 

 the young, or eggs, if highly incubated, into the sea below them. 



