270 THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



Berwickshire : " From time immemorial water-fowl have 

 found a congenial haunt in Bemersyde Loch. In the 

 summer time this stretch of swampy ground at the present 

 day hardly merits the name of loch, for by drainage its 

 dimensions have been gradually reduced until it has become 

 a boggy hollow, the greater portion of which is covered by 

 a luxuriant growth of sedges, reeds, rushes, and many other 

 water-loving plants. The spaces of open water are very 

 insignificant. In winter it attains greater proportions, and, 

 rising to a considerable height, forms a pretty sheet of 

 water. It lies in the northern portion of the parish of 

 Mertoun and close to the Third, where, in former days, 

 stood a peel tower in which members of the ancient family 

 of Haig were wont to reside, Not far off were the towers 

 of Brotherstone, Whitrig, and Sandyknowe, the last only 

 remaining. The loch lies in a hollow where the properties 

 of Mertoun and Bemersyde join, and on more than one occa- 

 sion it had been the cause of strife and bitter feeling be- 

 tween the proprietors of the two estates until 1678, when 

 it was divided between Dryburgh and Bemersyde. This 

 division continued for two hundred years, but in 18*79, 

 by an amicable arrangement between Mr. Erskine and 

 Colonel Haig, the latter purchased the half of the loch 

 severed in 1678; thus the entire loch, as it now exists, 

 belongs to Bemersyde. Judging from the conformation of 

 the ground the loch must have been formerly of very 

 considerable extent and depth. The first drainage opera- 

 tions were most probably carried out during the lifetime 

 of Anthony Haig, the 18th laird of Bemersyde. Drain- 

 age has in more modem times greatly reduced its level 

 and contracted its boundaries ; still there are yet over 

 fifty-five acres partially covered with water or liable to 

 complete submersion. It is a favourite breeding haunt of 

 the Black-headed Gull, and about fifteen hundred pairs 



