ICELAND GULL. 
181 
that I have found it most frequently, and where it is chiefly 
known. It is there that I have observed it first to arrive ; 
and this most generally occurred when the wind was favour- 
able from the Arctic regions. 
In stating the claims of this bird to specific distinction, 
the circumstance will not be overlooked, of its being re- 
garded by the Shetland fishermen as a distinct species. 
Such an opinion is not to be considered as wholly unim- 
portant ; for, unbiassed, in this instance, by prejudice or 
selfishness, — possessing the most select opportunities of ac- 
curate observations on the more palpable and distinguish- 
ing peculiarities of those birds which their country sup- 
plies,— their attention, from their modes of life, naturally 
directed to those observations, — -and they being acute, and 
perfectly competent to arrive at just conclusions in connec- 
tion with them, — their testimony may be considered, at 
least, a strong presumption, in support of the pretensions 
of this bird to distinction of species. Indeed, I have seldom 
found their sagacity fail in accurately marking such specific 
boundaries; and, in this instance, in compliance with their 
conviction, they have distinguished this bird by the name 
of Iceland Scorie^ (or the Young Iceland Gull) ; Scorie 
being the general Shetlandic appellation for the young of 
several species of the gull family. 
Of the place of its breeding I know nothing. It is pro- 
bable, I think, that it selects for this purpose the shores of 
Lapland and Norway, of the Faro Isles, and of Iceland. 
The name, indeed, given to it in Shetland, would seem to 
indicate that it is at least found in Iceland, although I 
have not been able to trace the origin of the appellation. 
The intercourse between that country and Shetland was 
formerly more frequent; and if it was observed to be 
numerous, or to breed there, it might naturally enough re- 
ceive the name of Iceland Gull. 
