TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 113 



landlords on whose property it may have settled, 

 from a supposition that it will defend their flocks 

 from the attacks of the Eagle. That it will attack 

 the Eagle if he approaches their nests is a fact I 

 have witnessed ; I once saw a pair completely beat 

 off a large Eagle from their breeding-place on 

 Rona's Hill. The flight of the Skua is more rapid 

 and stronger than that of any other Gull. It is a 

 great favourite with the fishermen, frequently ac- 

 companying their boats to the fishing-ground or 

 Haaf, which they consider a lucky omen ; and in 

 return for its attendance they give it the refuse of 

 the fish which are caught. The Skua Gull does 

 not associate in groups, and it is seldom that 

 more than a pair are seen together. During the 

 breeding-season it is highly courageous, and will 

 strike furiously at, and will even pursue, any one 

 who may happen to approach its nest, which is 

 constructed amongst the heath or moss ; the fe- 

 male mostly laying two eggs but sometimes three, 



Lestris Richardsonii, Swains. Scoutiallin*. 

 Richardson's Gull. — Numbers of this bird breed in 

 Orkney and Shetland, appearing regularly in May 

 and leaving in August ; it is confined to a few 

 situations, and is strictly preserved, from the 

 same motive as the Skua Gull, The place where 



