BLACK-HEADED GULL. 295 



is at all times to be met with on the coast in the 

 south of Scotland during winter, but in no propor- 

 tion whatever to the large numbers that annually 

 resort inland to breed, and there can be little doubt 

 that a partial migration takes place to this country in 

 spring, and from it again in autumn. During win- 

 ter a few ascend rivers, retiring seaward at night. 

 On the river Annan, at that season, six or seven may 

 be daily seen singly following its course upwards in 

 the morning, resting and feeding among the shallows, 

 and at night wending their way again downwards. 

 They are at this season very shy, and being seldom 

 long at rest, are difficult to approach even with the 

 assistance of cover ; and they will always turn aside 

 to a sufficient distance from any object they suspect. 

 They are particular in choice of a breeding place, 

 at least some which we would think suited for them 

 are passed or deserted, and others more unlikely are 

 selected. We possess a reedy loch which was for 

 many years a haunt of these birds, but the edges 

 were planted, and they left it; ten years after- 

 wards, and when the plantation had grown up, a 

 few pairs returned, and in time increased to a large 

 colony, when an artificial piece of water was made 

 by damming up a narrow pass in an extensive 

 muir nearly two miles distant; thither the gulls 

 resorted the following spring, leaving their ancient 

 ground, and they have been increasing in numbers 

 for some years past. In Scotland it extends to the 

 most northern counties, the Orkneys and Shetland. 

 On the Continent the Black-headed Gull seems also 



