114 NOTES ON THE BirpDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 
plough; but their chief resort is the pasture land, and their 
chief, almost only food, is worms or snails, etc. We have 
never heard of or suspected their attacking turnips or other 
vegetable produce.’’!8! Common Gulls have, however, been 
seen eating both growing and pulled turnips.!® 
The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (p. 436). This 
predacious species is still allowed to breed on Lochar Moss, 
where I am told that in 1921 there were 60 nests at Rockhall 
(Torthorwald), 10 on Craig’s Moss (Dumfries), 130 at Mid- 
Locharwoods, and 120 at Longbridgemuir (Ruthwell). Rae- 
burn Moss and Nutberry Moss (Kirkpatrick-Fleming) are, I 
believe, still resorted to annually by Lesser Black-backed 
Gulls for nesting purposes. 
The GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (p. 438). It is 
not surprising to learn that this voracious bird has been seen 
to take young Sheld-ducks which were nearly full-grown,!*4 
and it has also been accused of killing farm-yard ducks. The 
Great Black-backed Gull is thought to be increasing on the 
Solway and in stormy weather it ranges far inland: on 3rd 
January, 1922, I shot a fine old male near Capenoch (Keir). 
The GLAUCOUS GULL (p. 439). Writing to Professor 
Newton, on 7th April, 1871, Sir William Jardine says that 
this species *‘ 
rivers inland: I have no doubt it frequently occurs in the 
Solway Firth.”’ I am not aware of its occurrence locally since 
6th February, 1892. 
The ICELAND GULL (p. 440). Mr William Wright 
informs me that in the winter of 1918-19 he saw what he 
thought was a Gull of this species at the mouth of the River 
Annan. 
The KITTIWAKE GULL (p. 441). The appearance of 
this species inland may be described as unusual rather than 
66 
as “‘ remarkable.’’ A Kittiwake which was killed at Cairn- 
occurs now and then in winter away up the 
181 Contributions to Ornithology, 1852, p. 40. 
182 Scottish Naturalist, 1917, p. 110. 
183 Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, 16th August, 
1911. 
