1791' I-ONGITITY OF ANTMAES. 245 



A gr^at many years ago, Mr Scot of BenhoJm, near 

 Montrofe, liad accidentally catched a fea gull (vulgo a 

 fea viaiUy) whofe wings he cut, and put it into his gar- 

 den to clear it of flugs and other vermin of that fort. 

 The bird reinained in that fituation for feveral years ; 

 and being kindly ufed,it became very familiar, fo as to 

 come, upon a call, to be fed at the kitchen door. It 

 was known by the name of IVlllie. This bird became 

 at laft fo tame, that no care was taken to preferve it, 

 tmd its wings having grown to full length, it flew away, 

 joined the other gulls upon the *beach, and came back 

 from time to time to pay a vifit to the houfe. It fol- 

 lowed its companions, hov/ever, when they left this 

 country ; at which the family were much difconcerted. 

 To their great joy, however, it returned with them 

 next r afon j and with its ufual familiarity returned to 

 its old haunt, where it was welcomed with great joy, 

 and fed very liberally with the garbage of fifli, its favou- 

 rite food. In this way it went and returned iox forty 

 years without intermilTion, and kept up its acquaint- 

 ance in the mod cordial manner ; for, while in the 

 country, it vifited them almofl daily, anfwered to its 

 name like any domeftic animal, and eat almoft out of 

 the hand. One year, liowever, very near the period 

 of its final difappearance, Willie did not pay his re- 

 fpects to the family, for eight or ten days after the 

 general flock of gulls were upon the coaft, and great 

 was the lamentation for his lofs ; as they naturally 

 concluded he mult be dead. The gentleman from 

 whom I had this fa£t, happened to be there on a vifit 

 at that time, and was witnefs to and cordially joined 

 in tlieir regret. But to the great joy of the whole fa- 

 mily, a fervant came running into the room one mor- 

 ning while they were at breakfall, in extafy, calling 

 out that Willie was returned. The whole company 

 got up from table immediately to welcome Willie, and 

 the humane gueH: among the reft. Food was foon found 

 in abundance, and Willie, with his ufual franknefs. 



