Editing Boobrie (section)

===Description and common attributes===
Investigation into folklore, especially Celtic oral traditions, began in the 19th century, and several "bizarre" and less familiar beasts were identified, including the boobrie.{{r|Robinson}} It is a generally malevolent entity,{{sfnp|Campbell|1860|p=xcvii|ps=none}} with the ability to materialise in the form of various mythical creatures.{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=135|ps=none}} It commonly preys on animals being transported on ships,{{sfnp|Bane|2013|p=64|ps=none}} preferably calves, but will also happily eat lambs and sheep,{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=136|ps=none}} carrying its prey away to the deepest water before consuming it.{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=136|ps=none}} It is also extremely fond of otters, which it consumes in large quantities.{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=137|ps=none}}

In its favoured bird manifestation{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=135|ps=none}} the boobrie resembles a gigantic [[great northern diver]]{{sfnp|Rose|2001|p=56|ps=none}} or [[cormorant]], but with white markings.{{sfnp|Gregorson Campbell|2005|p=373|ps=none}} According to folklorist [[John Francis Campbell|Campbell of Islay]], a detailed account of its dimensions provided by an authoritative source claims that it is "larger than seventeen of the biggest eagles put together".{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=136|ps=none}} It has a strong black beak about {{convert|11|in}} wide and {{convert|17|in}} in length, the final {{convert|5|in}} of which taper like that of an [[eagle]]. The creature's neck is almost {{convert|3|ft|}} long with a girth of a little under {{convert|2|ft}}. Short black powerful legs lead to webbed feet with gigantic claws. An imprint of a boobrie's foot left in some lakeside mud equalled "the span of a large wide-spreading pair of red deer's horns".{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=136|ps=none}} It bellows noisily with displeasure, sounding more like a bull than a bird.{{sfnp|Rose|2001|p=56|ps=none}} The design of its wings is more conducive to swimming rather than for flight.{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=136|ps=none}} Its evil powers when in the form of a bird were said by Campbell of Islay to have "terrified a minister out of his propriety".{{sfnp|Campbell|1860|p=xcvii|ps=none}} The boobrie's insatiable appetite for livestock posed a threat to local farmers, as they relied on their animals as a means of providing income and food.{{sfnp|Monaghan|2009|p=53|ps=none}}

Although sea lochs are the boobries' natural home{{sfnp|Campbell|1860|p=xcvii|ps=none}} they will shelter on land in overgrown heather.{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=135|ps=none}} Accounts are inconsistent as to the extent of the boobrie's habitat. Campbell of Islay claims that it is specific to the lochs of [[Argyll]]shire,{{sfnp|Campbell|1860|p=xcvii|ps=none}} as does Emeritus Professor of English James MacKillop.{{r|MacKillop}} The writers [[Katharine Mary Briggs|Katharine Briggs]] and [[Patricia Monaghan]] on the other hand consider the creature's range to be the broader Scottish Highlands,{{sfnp|Monaghan|2009|p=53|ps=none}}{{sfnp|Briggs|2002|p=82|ps=none}} although Briggs does sometimes specify Argyllshire.{{sfnp|Briggs|2002|p=269|ps=none}} Campbell of Islay's undated manuscript notes the boobrie had not been seen for several years probably due to the widespread burning of heather in the area of its habitat.{{sfnp|Henderson|1911|p=135|ps=none}}