GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
3 
collector. For my own part, I have to plead guilty to causing the death of l)ut a couple of broods 
of young — a pair full-fledged on Loch Shin, and three in the ’down, a few days old, taken from a nest 
on an island in Lock Skeanaskaig, in the Coigach district. Though Loch Shin is by no means the “ huge 
ditch” it was described by an old writer*, the scenery is far less wild and romantie than that to be met with 
a few miles further west. In this locality the Great Black-hack used in former days to be numerous ; 
there were, however, hut four or five pairs flying over the water when I was in search of juveniles of 
this species in 1808. The following short and condensed, extract from my notes will give some idea as 
to the present scarcity of this Gull : — 
“ June 30. Taking the india-rubber boat on the wagonette, left Lairg early and drove along the 
north side of Loch Shin within a mile or two of Overskaig. For the first few miles Common Gulls 
and Lesser Black-hacks alone were seen, and it was not till reaching a spot off Fiag Island that any 
of the Larger Black-hacks came in. view. Leaving the trap on the road, I made my way to the 
water-side and watched, for at least an hour, the action of a couple of pairs and a single bird or two. 
After hovering round the islands for some time, the Avhole party took their departure towards the east, 
and I could obtain no evidence that they had either eggs or young in the immediate vicinity. After 
driving a mile or two further Avest and meeting AAnth no signs of the birds of Avliich I Avas in quest, 
Ave selected a spot Avhere the road ran Avithin a short distance of the loch-side, and having blown out 
the boat, I embarked in order to thoroughly examine the islands and then pull back to Lairg. On 
approaching Fiag, the larger of the two islands, a jAair of Gulls at once came in view, circling round Avitli 
angry screams, greatly enraged at the intrusion on their haunts. The adventure on Loch Maree a fcAv 
Aveeks previous (recorded under the heading of the Osprey) having by- no means faded from my memory, 
I first selected a sheltered spot Avhere the boat Avould l)o secure from any sudden gust of Avind, and next 
closely searched the patches of long grass on the south side. A nest evidently ncAv, hut empty, Avas soon 
discoA'ered, most cunningly concealed, considering its size, among the roots and coarse herbage in a clump 
of small straggling bushes that stretched doAvn toAvards the shore. Fresh footsteps, hoAvever, in the soft 
gravel, plainly indicated that the spot had been lately vi.sitcd, and the contents most probably carried off. 
Herons Avere breeding in several of the Ioav stunted trees, hut no other nests Avere Ausihle, though tAVO or 
three pairs of Grey Lag Geese shoAved considerable disinclination to quit that part of the loch. Nothing 
appearing on the smaller island, I started before a favourable breeze for Lairg, the pair of Gulls still 
keeping company, sailing sloAvly round and round, giving vent at times to a melancholy cry. As the 
Avind freshened, my work Avas easy, good progress being made Avith little more exertion than simply keeping the 
boat before the SAvell, another pair of Gulls soon joining my former attendants, their excessive consternation 
as I drew further east plainly indicating the presence of young at no great distance. While passing close 
to the north of a small sandy islet, the highest point of Avhich Avas little more than a foot or tAA’o 
above the surface of the loch, I caught sight of a couple of young Gulls running in a crouching attitude 
doAvn to the Avater’s edge and at once striking out for the shore. Turning the boat under the shelter of 
the island, I soon Avorked to AvindAvard of the tAVo birds, avIio continued SAAimming side l)y side, though making 
hut little headway against the cross SAvell. DraAving rapidly upon them, I succeeded in the first attempt in 
clutching the pair, and the larger seizing his smaller brother, the tAvo Avere comfortably stoAved in the 
bottom of the boat beneath the seat before they had time to offer the slightest resistance. The male and 
female were noAV flying round in the greatest excitement, and being anxious to- secure the entire family 
as specimens, I took the first chance and dropped one of the pair as they SAVooped past the boat. A 
minute later the survivor again sailed over at a considerable height, and being stopped dead as a stone in the 
air, doubled up and dropped Avithin a foot of the boat, so close, in fact, that a Aving brushed the side in the act 
* ^Maculloch. 
