GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
to by many of the larger Gulls. Here I procured several specimens of this species in various stages during the 
early part of May 3877. Throughout this remote district the whole of the sea-fowl appeared perfectly fearless, 
affording excellent opportunities for selecting those stages of which I was in search without committing 
useless slaughter. 
During my wanderings in the Lews, I invariably found the inhahitauts a most obliging race of people ; 
from the highest to the lowest they appeared eager to assist a stranger by all means in their power. One 
native, however, was met with whose anxiety to please was carried to such an extent that even the most 
exacting individual must have been thoroughly satisfied by his endeavours. While returning from Loch Seaforth 
Head one evening, accompanied by a couple of keepers, after obtaining a few specimens of both the Greater and 
Lesser Black-backs in intermediate stages of plumage, we were overtaken on the road towards the Lodge by a 
light cart employed to procure sui)plies from Stornoway. As three or four miles had yet to be passed over, I 
stopped the man and signified my intention of driving the remainder of the way. The birds were carefully 
packed in the back of the cart, and the main part of the instructions to the driver having been given by the 
keepers in the native tongue, I did not discover till we were some distance on our way that my companion 
possessed but an exceedingly slight knowledge of the English language. The last mile or so towards the Lodge 
was a steep descent, the road being cut in some parts into the bare face of the hill-side. As the track was 
narrow, precipitous rocks on the one side and a rough and stony valley on the other, I considered that the pace 
at which we had been travelling might with advantage be reduced, and the willing beast kept in hand downhill. 
On attempting to communicate my ideas on the subject, a nod, a grunt, and a grin were the sole response, the 
reins were dropped on the animal’s back, and several well-intentioned cuts with the whip having been 
administered, we dashed downhill at a pace which, though decidedly risky, promised, if all went well, to bring 
us speedily to our journey’s end. Once off on our wild career, it was useless to interfere, so I quietly awaited 
the course of events with, I must confess, considerable doubt as to the result. Though his manner Avas peculiar, 
the driver proved himself a more efficient Avhip than I had anticipated, and eventually pulled up in the yard of 
the Lodge in a style that AA’Ould liaA^e done credit to the jauntiest Ilansom cabby in St. James’s Street, lie AA'as 
evidently highly pleased Avith his performance, and had just sufficient English to return profuse thanks for a 
trifle Avith Avhich I presented him. Being uncertain Avhether the man had not suddenly taken leave of his 
senses, so strangely had he laughed and conducted himself Avhile dashing down the hill, I made inquiries 
shortly after, and learned he had understood that 1 was desirous of iuen^asiug the speed, and had consequently 
done his best to oblige, concluding by remarking that of all the parties he had ever driven, I Avas by far the 
strangest to please, but he Avas in hopes the pace had given satisfaction. 
The first signs of the black feathers on the back of this species do not, according to my oAvm experience, 
commence to sIioav till the third year. Various changes are then gone through each succeeding season till 
the sixth year, AA’hen the adult plumage is put on. After tliis is once assumed, the bird undergoes but the 
periodical change into the Avinter dress, Avhich simply consists in the pure Avhite of the head and back part of 
the neck exhibiting a few specks of grey ; the colouring of the Ijcak also alters slightly. 
In the various intermediate stages, I have obtained specimens on the coast of Norfolk and also on 
the broads in the interior of the county ; they are most commonly met Avith during winter in these 
parts. 
One particularly handsome specimen (figured) was shot off the island of Soya, a few miles south- Avest of 
Loch Inver, on June 16, 1877. By means of a quantity of fish-liver and oil poured on the Avater about a mile 
to windward of the island, clouds of Gulls and a score or so of Terns were in the course of a few minutes 
attracted to the spot, hovering over the surface and dipping doAvn and securing the floating particles of food. 
The hungry birds, while circling round and contending over their prey, took little notice of the boat. Thouo>h 
this plan Avas tried on several occasions along different parts of the coast, and hundreds if not thousands of 
