lavender-purple. It is a bird of voracious habit, and preys not only upon fish and the smaller water-fowl, 
hut devours carrion and offal of every kind. A young bird, now in my collection, was killed upwards of a 
mile inland, feeding upon the carcass of a dead horse. Its swallow is also very capacious, as appears from 
the fact that an individual of this species, killed during Captain Ross’s expedition, disgorged a little Auk 
when it was struck, and, on dissection, another was found in its stomach.” — III. Brit. Orn, vol. ii. p. 499. 
“ Th roughout the western counties of Scotland,” says Mr. Robert Gray, “ this large Sea-Gull is in general 
less jdentiful than on the eastern shores. It is seldom, indeed, found roaming within the circle of the inner 
islands, hut for the most part remains in the. vicinity of the Outer Hebrides. Nor is it even there a regular 
winter visitor in flocks, some seasons passing with only a stray bird or two to represent the migratory 
companies 'that at other times visit these islands. In the winter of 1862-63 considerable numbers were 
seen in North Uist, frequenting chiefly the west side of the island and the Sound of Harris. In this district, 
distinguished for large tracts of sand and mud at low tides, these flocks generally take up their quarters, 
feeding on stranded fish and other garbage left by the sea. They seldom or never go inland ; but when 
rough northern storms are blowing the masses of foam over the sands, their usual resting-place, they get 
on wing and travel along the shore, visiting the sands of Beubecula and South Uist, and returning to their 
headquarters when the weather moderates. The Glaucous Gull is perhaps more numerous in the Shetland 
Islands than elsewhere in Scotland. In some seasons, indeed, it may be said to be abundant there, appearing in 
very large flocks. Dr. Saxby states that shortly after their arrival the greater number of the old birds entirely 
disappear. The species likewise occurs in Orkney; and southwards of these two groups of Islands old birds 
are generally met with, although I have at various times seen and shot young birds on the Haddingtonshire 
coast. It is not uncommon as a winter visitant to the Cromarty Firth, and from that locality to the coast 
of Northumberland it cannot be said to be very rare. 
“ This bird is associated in my mind with at least one vivid picture of a wild sea. On the iron-bound coast 
of Berwickshire, fatal to many a gallant ship, I witnessed some years ago a terrible tempest raging, spreading 
destruction and death. Sea and sky were mingled in one dark, drizzling mass, and all else blotted out, save 
a foreground of rocks, on which the broken Avaves Avere crashing AA'ith the noise of artillery, and from Avhich 
clouds of spray Avere rolling landwards like Avreaths of smoke from a battle-field. Against the background 
of sea and cloud there appeared a Burgomaster Gull and a small band of kinsmen, the snoAV-Avhite parts of 
their plumage appearing like specks on the pitch-like neutral tint, best understood by those Avho paint the 
‘war of elements.’ With a free sweep the splendid birds seemed to rejoice in the tumult beneath, calling 
to one another in loud, hoarse shouts, as, after a moment’s suspense, they dashed across the gloom. From 
a peaceful-looking Gull they had each become like a storm-demon, hovering at times in the dark cloud, and 
presiding over the troubled sea, their very presence forming an essential element in the picture. Such is 
their life ! ” 
The Plate represents this bird about three fourths of the natural size. 
