Mi’ Edmondston m the Arctic Gu% ^c. 9S 
find some difference in their young, but no variety have I ever 
met with, farther than what is casually found to affect the young 
of any one well ascertained species of bird, some individuals 
being of darker, others of lighter shades of plumage. 
On a heathy hill, in the Island of Unst, Zetland, which has 
long been a favourite resort of the Arctic gull, and where I 
remember, some years ago, to have seen more than fifty pair, 
I did not, last year, find above five. They have been observed 
to be gradually decreasing in number, from the hill being con- 
stantly exposed to the depredations of idlers iruquest of their 
nests. The few that remained were all white-breasted, with one 
brown individual only. And this would seem another presump- 
tion for the opinion, that the brown is merely the Arctic gull in 
imperfect plumage, — for, from hardly any of the young being 
reared on this spot, and from the general fact, which I conceive 
nearly established, that certain families of migratory birds, and 
their descendants, regularly occupy certain situations, I should 
conclude, that, in this instance, only some of the old stock could 
have been able to remain. 
During the breeding season, this species confines itself mostly 
to the heaths, feeding chiefly on the insects that frequent the 
marshes. Occasionally a straggler dashes along the shores, to 
the terror and annoyance of the Terns and lesser gulls. The 
kittiwake seems peculiarly the victim of its persecution ; but in- 
deed hardly any birds of its size are secure from the attacks of 
this aquatic hawk : when stimulated by hunger, it hesitates not to 
assault and harass them, to compel them to disgorge their food. 
I once witnessed a very animated and amusing chace of this 
kind, when the game was the common wild pigeon. This bird, 
which displays great agility and rapidity of flight, the Artie 
gull seemed as easily to overtake, as had a hawk been pursuing 
a heron. In the celerity of its flight, and the precision with 
which it hit its object, it far surpassed any hawk, and for which 
the terrified pigeon seemed to take it. 
The joint of the wing projecting so as to form a kind of spine, 
its rapidity of flight, muscular energy, and bold disposition, 
must render it a very formidable opponent. It is not easily do- 
mesticated, unless taken very young, although so bold and fami- 
liar in its pative state. 
