tame. Those bred at St. Kilda and Haskeir rocks betake themselves In autumn to the western side of the 
islands of Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, and South Uist, and are easily approached. I have shot very 
interesting- specimens there, showing- the last remains of the immature plumage, sprinkled in brown spots 
over the back of the birds and the wing-coverts, giving- them a marbled appearance, the rest of the plumage 
being complete.” 
“ The flight of this Gull,” writes Macgillivray, in his ‘ History of British Birds,’ “ is strong, but buoyant, 
direct, and unwavering Avben tlie bird is proceeding towards a distant place, and then usually elevated, but 
on ordinary occasions somewhat devious, although from its size this species is not capable of turning and 
winding so dexterously as the smaller kinds. When engaged with a shoal of fry, the Herring-Gulls hover 
over the water, now ascending- to the height of perhaps twenty feet, then skimming- close over the surface ; 
and on observing an object, stretching upward and vibrating their wings and letting down their feet so as to 
touch and sometimes pat the water, they pick it up without alighting. Sometimes they plunge partly into 
the water, and occasionally pick up their prey while swimming. All this while they emit now and then a 
loud and rather shrill cry. Their food consists of fishes of small size, occasionally large dead fish, crabs, 
echini, asteriae, and mollusca. In winter and spring they often travel in bands over the fields, searching the 
pastures and, more especially, ploughed land for worms, grubs, and Insects. 
“ At that season they may sometimes be seen on lakes, either solitary or in small flocks. They walk and 
even run with ease, and not ungracefully. Often, on the sands, they may be seen rapidly patting the surface 
with their feet ; but the purpose of this action is not understood, although some have sujiposed it to be the 
causing of worms to emerge. 
“ In the beginning of May they resort to their various breeding-places along the coast, often in great 
numbers, betaking themselves to small unfrequented islands, frequently also to the faces of abrupt cliff’s, but 
sometimes settling here and therein pairs. The nest, which is often bulky, is formed of grass and herbaceous 
plants of various species, according to the locality. The eggs, which are generally three, vary greatly in 
size and colour, the smallest being two inches and a half in length, and the largest two inches and ten 
twelfths, their breadth from one inch and eight- twelfths to two tAvelfths more ; the ground-colour pale yellowish 
grey, brownish grey, light brown, or olivaceous, sometimes dotted with dark hrown aud purplish grey, some- 
times clouded in large patches, and sometimes dotted, spotted, and clouded or even covered with tortuous 
and angular markings.” 
“ In Shetland,” as Dr. Edmonston informs me, “ the Herring-Gull breeds almost always in cliffs of difficult 
access, hardly ever in flat situations.” Now, as in the Outer Hebrides it very often breeds on islands as 
flat as they can be in a gneiss country, and very seldom in cliffs, the difference in habits must depend upon 
circumstances, perhaps not easily appreciable. On an island in the Bay of Fundy, Mr. Audubon found it 
nesting on fir trees, and was informed that, some time before, it had bred on the flat ground in the 
neighbourhood. “ It is,” Dr. Edmonston continues, “ the most elegant and most sagacious of all our birds. 
Of all birds this is the most indefatigable persecutor of the sportsman. At all seasons it is the watchful 
guardian of wild animals. This habit, however, so generous and interesting, is often fatal to itself, by 
exciting the vindictive feelings of man. Its carriage is stately and dignified. The young are generally three 
in number ; aud long after they have left tbe nest the parents continue to watch and feed them. Altogether 
it is a most Interesting and delightful bird. Those who have made the name of Gull synonymous with 
stupidity have.known little of the Herring-Gull, or they have meant the contrary to what they have said. In 
spring- it is found in flocks on the corn-fields, picking up whatever seed the harrow may have left uncovered ; 
and at this season it is excellent eating.” 
The principal figure in the Plate is about two thirds of the natural size. 
