BIRDS. 



340 a 



For continuation of Kittiwale see page 341, 



[A page of MS. having through an unfortunate accident been misplaced, the 

 species coming between Iceland GuU and Kittiwake were omitted. It is now printed 

 and paged 340 a and 340 6.] 



Larus Canus, L. Common GuM. 



Common. Xests high up in the hills, as, for instance, at Loch nan Eun 

 in Forfarshire, and on the ridge between Loch Tay and Glen Lyon, 

 — about 2000 feet elevation. 



Common in all stages of plumage along the valley of the river 

 Tay, following the plough, and often seen in company with Rooks, 

 and in the near vicinity of the city of Perth. Also nesting at several 

 localities in Eannoch ; and immature birds — not nesting — frequent 

 Loch Eigheach as early as end of April. 



At hay-cutting time Mr. Vs. Evans found a number frequenting 

 the portions of the fields where the hay had been cut; and "they 

 were busy," he tells us, " searching for the voles that were killed, 

 and their yoimg." 



Larus Argentatus, Gmd. Herring-Gull. 



The most common of the larger species of Gulls which are known to 

 frequent the river Tay as far as the tide reaches, or to about the 

 bridges which span the river within the city boundaries. Mr. 

 Malloch told me of one which had been kept in confinement in Perth 

 for twenty-nine years. 



Larus fuscus, L. Lesser Black-Backed Gull. 



Rare in adult plumage — says Col. Drummond Hay — "and generally 

 found in the dark-brown stages of the first year in autumn and 

 winter below Perth." Of inland haunts Col. Drummond Hay has 

 little or nothing to communicate. 



However, by 1902 these birds are stated to have become much 

 more numerous, and as doing incalculable damage to all kinds of 

 game. He " believes " that they nest near Killin, but I have not 

 been able to verify the statement. 



But we know that these birds travel in early spring up the 

 courses of the streams and valleys, as elsewhere in the East of Scot- 



