158 TAMENESS OF GULLS IN GENERAL. [PART II. 



and sometimes amuse herself in a pond hard by, 

 whilst he went to pay his accustomed visit to the 

 grocer. In the other case, near Sea View, my 

 informant tells me the wild Gull used to come up 

 and feed with the tame one under his dining-room 

 windows, though she would not approach quite 

 close so long as any one was visible at them, but 

 sat on the grass-plat a short distance off, or ho- 

 vered round until the coast seemed clear. 



Perhaps there is naturally less fear of man 

 entertained by Gulls than by most other birds. 

 One can scarcely be for a few hours at sea, or by 

 the water in a harbour-town, without some of 

 them, from curiosity or carelessness, coming round 

 so close to one as to afford sufficient proof of this. 

 Last year (1858), whilst fishing at some distance 

 outside the harbour at Stornoway, I threw over, 

 foul-hooked, and brought into the boat, with a 

 short cuddy rod and line, which happened to be 

 on board, two Gulls, as they flew round close to 

 us, allured by the hope of a share in our fish. 

 The first, when released, not having exhibited the 

 slightest fear, but continued to hover round us, 

 closer, if anything, than before, as if he fancied 

 he had then a special claim to our attention, 

 I thought, on catching the second, I would see to 



