THE BLACK-HEADED (iULL. 
mony to the occurrence of this bird in Shetland that can now 
be found, and leaving him to form his own conclusions. 
In the “ Zoologist” for 1861 a visitor to Shetland stated — 
(here again, by the way, omitting any allusion to his authority) 
— that a Gull, the plumage of which was tinged with rose 
colour, was shot some years before in Unst, possibly belonging 
to this species. Later, in the same volume, the author, writing 
from Shetland, contributed a note, saying of the bird in question, 
“ it was shot by me seven years ago, but, under the impression 
that it was merely a variety of some other species, I foolishly 
suffered it to be lost. However, I made a few rough observa- 
tions upon the singularity of its plumage, but having left my 
note-books in England, I am at present unable to throw further 
light upon the subject.” 
One other item of evidence is the mark against the species 
in my brother’s copy of Mr ISTewman’s List of British Birds 
(ed. 1870), as occasional, and seen by himself. 
The testimony is evidently of a much less decisive character 
than could be wished, if the bird is to have a recognised place 
on the Shetland list. Nevertheless, the last-mentioned mark 
sufficiently indicates the author’s mature opinion, most likely 
after reference to the note-books in question. I may also add, 
though personally unacquainted with the species, that if its 
diagnosis involve delicate shades of colour, my brother’s recol- 
lections are entitled to especial weight, from the quickness and 
accuracy of perception in such respect, for which he was notable 
from his childhood. — Ed.] 
THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 
Lariis ridibundus. 
This well-known species remains in Shetland throughout 
the year, frequenting the small lochs near the sea. None of 
the Gulls is so fond of coming inland, nor does any seem so 
partial to fresh water. Sometimes in winter a few of them 
