BIRDS. 
233 
latter breed inland, but occupying independent colonies on 
the Badcall Islands, and on an island of Loch Scheanaskaig, 
in West Cromarty. 
An abundant and resident species, breeding both on the cliffs 
of the coast, and in the wet flows of the interior of the 
county (0. MSS., 1868). 
Very scarce in 1885 ; exterminated in many places in the 
interior, or almost so. There is still one good-sized colony 
on Dunbar's Stack, south of Wick, where there are about 
thirty pairs in all. At one time the whole of Dunbar's 
Stack was occupied exclusively by the lesser black-backed 
gulls ; now the herring gull has taken part possession. 
Larus marinus, L. Great Black-backed Gull. 
Eesident, though not abundant, the whole year round on the 
east coast ; scarcer in winter, retiring to the hill lochs to 
breed ; there is rarely more than a pair on a loch, if such 
is frequented by other gulls, and they often choose a solitary 
island, which they keep to themselves. Near Dornoch, 
however, we understand there is a loch tenanted by a 
colony of these birds. Breeds in a colony of about fifteen 
pairs on the summit of the Stack of Handa. A far inland 
locality, where a single pair breeds, is at a loch-side near 
Oykel Bridge. Used to be numerous around Loch Shin, 
according to Booth, but in 1868 he only found five pairs 
there (Ptough Notes, Part ix.). 
Caithness name — " Gow Mavj." A common but not abundant 
species the season through, generally placing its nest on the 
top of the isolated stacks that occur commonly along the 
coast (0. MSS., 1868). 
Decidedly a rare bird in the county now. We saw one 
pair on the Stacks of Duncansbay in 1885, but none any- 
where else. They are almost exterminated. 
