GREAT R LACK-RACK El) GULL. 
LAIWS MARINUS. 
This magnificent Gull, the largest of the family that nest on the British Islands, may be met with at all seasons 
round our coasts. The only breeding-stations I hare examined are in the northern counties of the Highlands 
and on tlie adjacent islands. The Bass Rock was formerly stated to he frequented during the nes|;ing-season ; 
but this resort must, according to my own observations, have been deserted for nearly five-and-twenty years. 
Adults and immature in various stages, the latter greatly predominating, arc, however, to be seen during the 
fishing-season in immense numbers in the North Sea as far south as Yarmouth or Lowestoft. Straggling 
parties and single birds show themselves in the Channel and along the estuaries in the southern and western 
counties, though in these parts I have never fallen in with them in anything approaching the numbers at times 
found off the east coast. 
The scientific name of Larus marinus bestowed on this species would lead those unacquainted with its 
habits to suppose that it is at least as much addicted to a life on the ocean Avave as the Kittiwake and 
other true sea-fowl. Such, however, is not the case, as many of these fine Gulls breed far inland on small 
islets in the freshwater lochs and even on the open moors. In several of the northern counties I have known 
them to frequent the lochs and hill-sides during the whole of summer and early autumn. Tmrards the end 
of July 1868, I remarked several small parties, numbering from throe or four to a dozen adults, resorting to the 
small islands on Loch Craigil and other pieces of Avater in the east of Sutherland. As these birds were 
repeatedly observed in the same neighbourhood, it is probable they had been robbed of their eggs or young; 
Avhich Avould account for their gathering in company at such an early date. On the flooded marshes in Norfolk, 
Suffolk, and Sussex I have also in Avinter met Avith these birds in large parties. 
In the Highlands the Great Black-backed Gull causes considerable loss to many of the small sheep-farmers 
and crofters, Avho are unable to give the necessary care and protection to the feAv animals they possess. A 
Aveaklv eAve is no sooner discovered than she is set upon, and after being either forced into some crcAuce amon" 
the rocks, or sloAvly butchered by thrusts from their powerful bills, the lamb next falls an easy A'ictim. Such 
facts, I am aAvare, have been denied by some Avriters ; but during the last fcAV years several instances have come 
under my observation, in addition to the reports I have heard from shepherds and small oAvners. The young 
of Grouse and many other birds breeding on the moors are also greedily devoured by these robbers, and no 
exposed egg is safe if once it has attracted their notice. On many occasions I have seen these birds captured 
in vermin-traps set on the moors, the baits by Avhicli they Avere attracted having been dead sheep, lambs, 
hares, or flsh *. Those that breed along the sea-cliffs seldom make foraging excursions inland, their prey 
being gathered for the most part along the shore or out at sea ; in some instances the nests of their neighbours 
are also plundered. Though their plumage is pure and spotless as the driven snow, these voracious birds 
* I frequently procured large ling of 8 or 10 lbs.* from the fishermen on the west coast, and found them excellent bait for all kinds of 
vermin. 
