mythological entity inhabiting west coast scotland commonly adopts appearance gigantic water bird resembling great northern form mythological creatures water bull generally entity typically livestock transported ships fond considerable number manifestation water horse creature able solid ground summer months seen large insect blood horses speculated descriptions based sightings great sound like bull bird origin strange common rare visitor scotland etymology derive meaning cow cow scottish lists monster demon god capable changing forms given northern counties variation simpler component single word defined bull tale differing second component adopting inconsistent variations renditions instance celtic scholar alternatives spelling variations employed writers include folk beliefs description common attributes investigation folklore especially celtic oral traditions began 19th century bizarre familiar identified including generally entity ability form mythical creatures commonly animals transported ships happily eat sheep carrying prey away deepest water consuming extremely fond large quantities favoured bird manifestation resembles gigantic great northern white markings according detailed account dimensions provided authoritative source claims larger seventeen biggest eagles strong black inches wide inches length final inches like eagle creature neck feet long little feet short black powerful legs lead feet gigantic claws imprint foot left mud span large wide spreading pair red deer horns displeasure sounding like bull bird design wings swimming flight evil powers form bird said terrified minister appetite livestock posed threat local farmers relied animals means providing income food sea natural home shelter land heather accounts inconsistent extent habitat claims specific emeritus professor english writers hand consider creature range broader specify manuscript notes seen years probably widespread burning heather area habitat alternative manifested water horse creature able beating noise creature water solid ground henderson reproduced parts manuscripts writing belief story listed tale starts detailing man named fed black bull discovered pain possibly close death west coast months later girlfriend occasionally disturbed elusive shadows senses think sat dreaming evening staying near shadow time promptly blanket tying hands point water bull came rescue knocking ground bull allowing transporting speed light home mother bull disappeared seen voice heard air calling loudly verse heard translates asserted tale reveals persistence folk belief idea transformation spirit manifest form large insect blood horses henderson refers big striped brown ear wig lots seen form usually height summer august september capture hunting farmer son field team horses work stalled horses lost shoe unable continue noticing horse grazing nearby decided try replacement wooden horse appeared familiar task initially worked steadily began work area closest restless farmer gently whip encourage animal continue reacted immediately transforming gigantic giving loud diving pulling horses frightened farmer son watched creature swam centre underwater taking horses seven hours later sign horses story hunter attempted shoot spotted bird like manifestation sea february day man water shoulders yards creature water hunter maintained position minutes returning shore remained hours waiting unsuccessfully clear indication given whereabouts origins speculates originated sightings great noted told stories creature people regarded having real existence popular mind considered tale water horse manifestation resembled norse myth referring forbes dictionary names defined common detailed description given scholar bull alternative henderson stem referring strangely weird sound highlighting weird hollow cry night evening describes resembling quietly cattle particularly bird breeding season records indicate bird rare scotland sighted decade 20th century catching sight believed death disaster
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