1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.
At the time of my last vh.it to Caithness huge nituilicrs of this specie* nested out on the dampest of
the Bati in the central portions of the county; many of these colonies must, 1 should imagine, have been
broken up by the construction of the railroad. Jluch of the wild moorland to the north of Loch Shin in
Sutherland ha* been brought under cultivation by the help of steam-ploughs, and doubtless here also the Gulls
that, bred in the localities have been banished from their summer-quarters. On one occasion, in June 1868)
while spending the night on the bills near Loon Iteannoch, a short distance to the north of Loch Shin, I
remarked that these birds were continually passing over the moors towards the west, where a few colonies
existed in those days. There was not half an hour during the night that two or three were not seen, all
holding the same course; doubtless these birds were returning frum n lengthened flight to the salt-Hater
1Ji-t 1I- in- the open sea. The rocky ledges along lite barren northern and western const-line, and the dreary
stretches of marshland surrounding the inland lochs and pools in the outlying islands, to which the Lesser
Black-backed Cull resorts, are mostly free from intrusion, and unless | few eggs are collected by the families
of the crofters for food, the birds suffer Utile annoyance during the breeding-season. At the Bass, the
reasons assigned for the diminution of the 11 erring-Gull have also affected this s|»-cics; on the Fern Islands
the protection afforded by the presence uf the egg-gatherers kept up the stuck to the usual stuudnrd during
the years 1 received information on the subject.
I am aware of no breeding-stations about the upper waters of the Lyon, in the north-west of Perthshire;
several of these Gulls were, however, taken regularly every spring in the vermin-traps set on the moors
during the years the Innerwiek shootings wens in my bauds. These birds appeared to follow the course
of the river np from the Tay, passing usually at a higher elevation on the hills than the Common Hulls, not
one of which was ever infill lid by these means. The carnivorous propensities of this species may be judged
from the fact that while killing duwn the vermin in 18G<;, several were taken at baits consisting or fox-cubs,
cats, ami blue hares ; eggs also proved attractive on two or three occasions the full on ing season. In the more
northern counties of Boss, Sutherland, and Caithness their depredations cause considerable losses (othegameprcsrrvors,
eggs and young of Grouse, Plovers, and Wildfowl suffering severely from their attacks ; they
appear, however, by no means so destructive to the smelts as the Common Gull.
At the time of the bringing out of the Sea-Bird Act it was stated that Gulls were of great assistance
to the fishermen, by indicating the whereabouts of the fish, nnd so guiding them to the best spots for shooting
their nets. This all looks very pretty and interesting in print, but I have yet to learn that the Gull is a
favourite with the seafaring population. "When the shoals of mackerel arrive off the south coast in the
spring, hundreds of seine-boats arc engaged in watching Tor the fish to come to the surface; as soon as they
arc sighted the crews row rapidly to the spot, and shooting the net round these, frequently enclose large
numbers, Should any Gulls, however, be near at hand, their sharp eyes are sure to detect the first ripple
on the water, nnd dashing down into the middle of the shoal, the fish nre driven to the bottom, and the men
who may have rowed hard for half a mile or more, ami possibly paid out a portion of tb< ir net, find their time
and labour thrown away, while lie' mischievous bird-, with a derisive scream, sad off to repeat the performance
at the earliest opportunity. 'While watching these proceedings oil' Brighton ami Shorelcoii, I have often been
requested by the crews of the boats to shoot the Gulls, the men declaring that what with the Itird-Aet and the
Gun-License they were unable to help themselves, being forced to staod quietly by while the lords snatched the
bread from their mouths. The number of these Gulls that congregate in the North Sea during the herring-season
is enormous ; here, again, they cause great loss to the fishermen. I have been assured by the masters of some
of the luggers that they have not [infrequently h.s'u deprived of a last of herrings, and occasionally up to four
or live limes lhat amount, by their depredations. As a last is ten thousand fish the quantity might scent
• A '• liut." though .Jioken of u ton tliou-mul, in reality contain. LTSMO herrings. Wliell the holla bring their rirE'-oi to Die wharf Bt
LESSEE BLACK-BACKED GULL 3
incredible to those who have never had an opportunity of watching a large Hock of these birds gathered round
a boa! making a good haul. The numbers these roblxrs consume is small compared with ihnse they bite and
shake from the nets. I have repeatedly observed at leasl two or three thousand of the larger Gulls(lho present
species apparently numbering about ten lo one) attacking the nets of a single boat when a heavy catch has
been secured. While a pau-e occurs in the operations they swim in compact liodies around the buoys, eagerly
walching for a chance; when the capstan is again iu motion and the nets, glistening w itll countless herrings
like a stream of silver, come gradually in view. the whole mass at lines rise on wing, arid seizing hold ol lite
lines in their beaks attempt to shake out the lisli. The small boat is occasionally scut tn drive oil' the birds,
but if disturbed from one part of the nets they rapidly commence operations on another. Alter the boats have
finished hauling, the birds are usually salislied, resting in large bodies upon the water for the remainder of the
day; it is by no means uncommon tn meet with a flock that extends a mile or two in length. By U A. jr.
the majority of the boats have their herrings on board: should the nets, however, liecome entangled, many
hours are often spent iu the endeavour to set tlietu free; such mishaps never escape the notice of the Gulls,
thousands continually circling round or dashing down to the water till the difficulty hi at an cud. So long
as there is a chance or food they will remain in attendance. One afternoon in October 1*7:2, we fell in
with n couple of luggers from Yarmouth and Lowestoft, about twenty miles outside the Cross Sands, whoso
nets had bet* dragged into an incxtrJoabla confusion by a steamboat. The immense flock of Gulls, appearing
at a distance like a swarm of bees, first attracted our attention ; and the following day at noon the same two
lioats were again passed still engaged in recovering their damaged nets, with much the same number of birds
surrounding them.
For the greater part of the information given in these pages concerning the Gulls nnd Skuas in the North
Sea, that is not derived from personal observations, I am indebted to the brothers Thomas, masters of a couple
of luggers sailins: from the pod of Yarmouth. John and Henry Thomas (generally known as " Lucky
Johnny " nnd " Gaby "| were sons of the noted Brcydon gunner, old John Thomas, and both followed the
same pursuit on the Hals with great success, Johnny gaining his title from oft-rep eat e< I luck in securing
valuable specimens. Well acquainted with all species of Gulls, Skuas, and other fowl net with off the hanks
in the North Sea, they invariably carried gun* while on the lishing-voyages, and any bird exhibiting an
uncommon stage of plumage was sure to attract their attention. When hauling in Hie vicinity of the <• antta,
if a sudden gale springs up, the crews often experience great risks iu saving the nets, and seldom a season
passes without several boats with all hands being lost in the broken water, ou ing to this cause. Jinny yarns
have been spun concerning the desperation with w Inch masters, who were whole or part owners, have hung
by their nets till either all hope was lost or the mate or some other of the crew had cut them adrift iu time to
get up sail nnd save life. On one occasion, after a voyage in which hi' had been exposed lo the bufiVlings of
a protracted gale, John Thomas gave me a mosl graphic account of his adventures. Utterly worn out by the
continued watching, he had turned in to snatch a few minutes' rest, when roused by one of the crew, who,
having sighted a tremendous sea lb u In- imagined must • iveruhelm them in their partially disabled condition,
bad rushed breathlessly down, exclaiming "Hero we all go together, master!" Though the deck was
completely swept, Johnny's lucky star was shining, even if obscured behind a cloud, and having weathered
the storm he reached Yarmouth in safety. After landing, however, while undergoing ti perutinn of shaving
at a barber's, his well-know n features completely hidden by a copious administration of lather, he listened to a
marvellous story of the loss of the Gorlestone lugger, of which he was then master, related by a fisiuTriuan
who declared he had seen her go down with all hands.