244 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
Jottings from my Note-Book. By Davin Rosgertson, 
LLD., F.LS., F.G.8. 
THE GULLS AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS. 
[Read 30th April, 1895.] 
THE small birds must have a bad time of it during frost and 
snow in searching for food ; but the Gulls would seem to be better 
provided for against such straits, their supply being chiefly 
derived from the open sea. This, however, does not appear to be 
without exception, for by the month of October, when the weather 
becomes cold, the Gulls begin to gather on the shallow bays at 
low water. Many a time I have been sorry to see a pair of Dogs 
of the neighbourhood come day after day to hunt these poor, 
hungry birds from their only morning or evening meal; but when 
the frost and snow fairly set in, the Gulls appeared by their 
behaviour to be still harder pressed, for they came in search of 
food to more frequented places, and with a boldness that they 
never show in summer. When crumbs were thrown out to them 
within a few feet of my window, although none might be seen at 
the time within sight, it was wonderful how soon a Gull would 
come flying past, obviously on the outlook for anything that it 
could pick up. Seeing the crumbs, it would begin, seemingly 
with caution, to circle round, widely at first, the circles gradually 
becoming narrower and lower. This appeared to be a signal, for 
immediately another and another would come, till more than a 
score would be circling nearer and nearer to the crumbs, till one 
would drop and pick up a bit and fly off with it; then another 
one or two would do the same. The whole flock would then 
alight, first on their tiptoes, with their wings up; but seeing 
more than they could carry away at a time, they got down on 
their feet, and made the most of the opportunity. The noise of 
their cackle, and their scramble to pick up as much as they could, 
were most amusing. In the midst of all their hurry their 
watchfulness did not leave them, for, on the slightest alarm, they 
