LESSER RLACK-RACKED GULL. 
LARUS FUSCUS. 
As far as I have been able to judge from observations made in all parts of our islands, and also on the 
surrounding seas, this species is the most numerous of the British Gulls, breeding on various rocky portions 
of the coast, and in colonies of larger or smaller size on the islands in the inland lochs as well as on 
the open moors in tlie lligblands. To describe the whole of the nesting-stations that have come under my 
notice is needless ; but a few may be mentioned to give an idea of the nature of the country in which these 
handsome Gulls pass the summer. 
The islands on Loch Maree, in the west of Ross-shire, are resorted to by thousands of pairs : here tliey 
are permitted to rear their young in comparative peace, as boats are (or rather were, for I have not visited 
the spot for some years) scarce on the loch, and it is but seldom that the country people are able to reach 
the islands to obtain their eggs. Those who have only viewed this beautiful loch under the influence of a 
bright sky and a gentle breeze, would never credit the fury of the squalls that at times gather among the 
surrounding hills and burst with but scanty warning over its surface. On one occasion, when I had sent 
the previous day to tlie keeper to ask for the use of the boat, it was discovered, on arriving at the spot, tliat 
three girls had come down from the hills in hopes of getting out, to procure a few baskets full of eggs. After 
landing them on the islands where the Gulls were most plentiful, we proceeded to search for the nests of 
Geese and Divers, or other rarities that might fall in our way. Though the early morning had been fine and 
still, by noon it had clouded over, and rain and wind set in. AVhile paddling among the islands in the 
india-rubber boat on the watch for Geese, and inspecting tlie deserted haunts of the Osprey, I narrowly 
escaped being caught in the first outburst of the storm *. For some hours wo delayed our return voyage 
in expectation that the weather would moderate ; at last, while attempting to reach the shore Avith a large 
cargo of eggs gathered by the lassies, we were struck by a squall that came roaring across the loch with a 
blinding cloud of spray, and driven back on one of the islands, the breaking of an oar sending two of the crew 
to the bottom of the boat, where they rolled about with the eggs, noAV being dashed from side to side. On 
working our craft into a sheltered bay and landing our terror-stricken passengers, we were forced to work 
hard to repair the damages received, and by the time our defects were made good, the storm had abated 
sufficiently to make a second attempt. The girls, who had crouched at the bottom of the boat, presented 
a most ludicrous appearance, being drenched to the skin in a mixture that resembled egg-flip, the Avhole of 
their spoil, consisting of several hundred Gulls’ eggs, having been smashed and beaten up into a kind of custard 
with the water that had broken on board. Some meat and drink, and the attentions of two or three sturdy 
keepers, eventually put fresh life into the disconsolate maidens ; but when they took their leave in the 
gloaming it was hard to recognize in the three limp and draggled forms the bright-looking lassies that had met 
us in the morning. 
• This incident is referred to under the heading of the Osprey, on pages 2 and 3. 
