TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 109 



which to build their nests, occupying the same 

 places for years in succession, to the exclusion of 

 almost every other bird. The nest is in general 

 placed a considerable height in the cliff. I have 

 seen a few pairs of Guillemots, Razor-bills, and 

 Puffins occupying the lower parts : these ap- 

 peared to be the only birds that were permitted 

 to enjoy the privilege, 



Larus argentatus, Brunn. Blue-backed 

 Maw*. Herring Gull. — This bird is more nu- 

 merous than the preceding species both in Orkney 

 and Shetland : its general manners and habits re- 

 semble the Black-backed Gull ; like it, it is bold 

 and clamorous when danger approaches, giving 

 warning to all other birds within its call, some of 

 which seem perfectly to understand the hint, and 

 almost always take advantage of it by flying off 

 before the fowler can approach within gunshot 

 of them ; like a true general, after sounding the 

 retreat he is the last to leave the field, and fre- 

 quently returns to reconnoitre, making a sweep as 

 if to strike the person who has caused this dis- 

 turbance, which habit frequently draws down the 

 gunner's vengeance on itself, and causes it to be- 

 come the victim of his own good intention. The 

 scream of this bird on such occasions is peculiarly 



