GAVI^. ( 268 ) LARID^. 



THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



PICMAN, PICTARNIE, PICKMIRE, PEWIT GULL, LAUGHING GULL, 

 BLACK-CAP GULL, BLACK-CAP, HOODED MAW, RED- 

 LEGGED GULL, MIRE-CROW, SEA-CROW. 



Larus ridihundus. 



Perfytelie thir Pikmawis, as for priowris, 

 With thar party kabitis, present tham thar. 



Holland's Houlat, circa 1453. 



" What do you see extraordinary about that bird. Hector f It's but a scaniaw." 

 "Ifs a Pictarnie, Sir" said Edie. 



Scott, Antiquary, 



Owing to the drainage of many of the pools and marshes 

 which formerly abounded in Berwickshire, the breeding 

 quarters of the Black-headed Gull in the county have 

 been considerably reduced in numbers since the beginning 

 of this century, but several nesting stations still remain. 

 Of these the most important are the Everett Moss, in the 

 parish of Legerwood, and Bemersyde Loch, in the parish 

 of Merton. The Everett Moss, which is also known as 

 the Pickie Moss, Dowie Den Moss Loch, or Legerwood 

 Loch, is situated about a mile to the north of Legerwood, 

 where, on looking eastwards from the rising ground near 

 the road, it may be seen lying in a hollow in the fore- 

 ground, with the top of old Corsbie Tower peering above 

 the trees a mile further in the same direction, and Home 

 Castle in the distance keeping watch over the Merse. The 



