COM:\roN GULL. 
to tlic same localities, the liapless Gulls being ])crpetually plundered and harassed hy those dashing robbers*. 
Considering the numbers of Gulls passing the summer on the moors, the quantities of young salmon destroyed 
must he enormous. Young birds are also occasionally taken, though hut few instances of such depravity have 
come under my notice. "While crossing the moors near Loch More, in Caithness, on May 31, 1869, two adult 
Common Gulls were seen quarrelling over some small and helpless object ; on approaching the spot the birds 
rose from a downy nestling of the Golden Plover, and within a few yards I detected a second, partially devoured ; 
both of these innocent victims were still warm, plainly indicating that the murders had only recently been 
committed. 
The breeding-haunts of this species are in many instances situated at long distances from the sea-coast. 
To the north-west of Ben Slioch, the highest mountain in Boss-shire, a colony of some hundreds is established 
on the islands as well as on the rough ground surrounding a hill-loch situated in the midst of some of the 
wildest scenery in the MYstern Highlands. It is seldom this desolate spot is visited save by the deer-stalker or a 
wandering shepherd ; and the utter disregard of their natural enemies shown hy even some of the most wary 
species nesting in the vicinity was exceedingly striking. After a short clamour had been raised on our first 
approach the Gulls settled quietly down and hut slight heed was taken of our movements for the remainder of 
the day. Black-headed Gulls, I learned from our guide (a keeper from Letterewe), had formerly bred here in 
great numbers, though not a bird was seen during the hours wo spent hy the loch-side ; and it was evident the 
colony must have shifted their quarters. A pair of Black-throated Divers Avere nesting on the island, and while 
visiting their haunts in the india-rubber boat (the only kind of craft that could he transported to such 
inaccessible spots) I noticed both birds on the Avater. Shortly after returning to the shore, the female Avas 
again seen on her eggs, Avhere she remained sitting till avc lelt the loch, the male repeatedly showing himself 
on the water during the afternoon Avithin half a gunshot. The majority of the nests of the Gulls Avere placed 
near the loch-side or on the adjacent moorland ; a fcAV, however, I remarked were scattered among some rough 
tussocks of grass at a slight elevation above the level of the ground. It is probable that many of the former 
must have been carried away hy the rush of AAnter from the swollen burns during the storm that oecurred the 
following night — the 5th of June, 1868. Shortly before dark the Aveather assumed an exceedingly threatening 
aspect and at length a heavy downpour of rain set in, lasting Avithout intermission for several hours ; the 
smallest streamlets increased to mountain-torrents, and the lochs rose rapidly to such a height that thousands of 
the eggs of Gulls, Ducks, and Divers must have been destroyed. Owing to the length of the journey and the 
roughness of the track, I did not return to the loeh to ascertain if the nests of the Gulls that had attracted my 
attention escaped the effects of the flood: judging from observations made in the glens on the south side of 
Loch Marec, I believe they were sufficiently raised to save their contents from contact Avitli the Avater, though 
the Avhole of the nests hy the loch-side must inevitably liaAm been submerged. 
Par up toAvards the Avest, in the remotest part of Glenlyon, in Perthshire, a large colony of Common Gulls 
has been established for many years, though latterly the birds have decreased in numbers. The lochs of Boro, 
Avhere this Gullery is situated, are far nearer to the western sea-coast ; the birds, hoAvever, invariably make their 
Avay in spring up the Tay and following on through Glenlyon reach their mountain-haunts hy crossing the 
moors near the course of the burns falling from the lochs. It is usually the beginning of April before any 
numbers are seen about the Lyon ; if looked for they Avill then be found l)y the river-side searching diligently 
for smolts or small salmon AAdiile gradually working on toAvards their summer-quarters. Occasionally I have 
Avatched small parties settled quietly resting for hours near the beds on Avhich the salmon had previously 
* I regret that no information was received from the taxidermist eoncerning the contents of the stomachs of any of the Common Gulls 
procured as specimens at their summer-quarters. None of the Arctic Skuas, however, were found to contain less than two or three smolts, still in 
an undigested state. Since these Skuas seldom, if ever, capture fish for themselves, depending almost entirely on the exertions of the unfortunate 
Gulls for their suj)ply of food, there can be little doubt as to the predatory habits of the latter. 
