314 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



one of his offspring, had its wing shattered, and continued alive in the 

 middle of the pond, occasionally screaming piteously, for two or three 

 days, till relieved by death. The old Gull immediately abandoned the 

 place for that winter, as if reproaching us for cruelty. By next autumn, 

 however, he seemed to have forgotten the injury ; for, according to my 

 record, ' 30th October 1830. The Great Black-backed Gull once more 

 arrived at Canonmills garden." The periods of arrival, residence, and 

 departure were nearly similar in the following year. But in 1832, 

 not only October, but the months of November and December passed 

 away without GulPs making his appearance, and I of course despaired 

 of again seeing him. He did, however, at length arrive. The following 

 is the entry in my common-place book : ' Sunday, 6th January 1833. 

 This day the Great Black-back returned to the mill-pond, for (I think) 

 the eleventh season. He used to re-appear in October in former years, 

 and I concluded him dead or shot. He recognised my voice, and hover- 

 ed over my head.' He disappeared early in March as usual, and re-ap- 

 peared at Canonmills on 23d December 1833, being a fortnight earlier 

 than the date of his arrival in the preceding season, but six weeks later 

 than the original period of re-appearance. He left in the beginning of 

 March as usual, and I find from my notes that he " reappeared on 30th 

 December 1834 for the season, first hovering around and then alighting 

 on the pond as in former years.' The latest entry is, ' 11th March 

 1835 : The Black-backed Gull was here yesterday, but has not been seen 

 to-day ; nor do I expect to see him till November.' 



" This Gull has often attracted the attention of persons passing the vil- 

 lage of Canonmills, by reason of its sweeping along so low or near the 

 ground, and on account of the wide expanse of wing which it thus dis- 

 plays. It is well known to the boys of the village as " Neill's Gull," 

 and has, I am aware, owed its safety more than once to their interfer- 

 ence, in informing passing sportsmen of its history. When it first ar- 

 rives in the autumn, it is in the regular habit of making many circular 

 sweeps around the pond and garden, at a considerable elevation, as if re- 

 connoitring ; it then gradually lowers its flight, and gently alights about 

 the centre of the pond. Upon the gardener's mounting the garden-wall 

 with a fish in his hand, the Gull moves towards the overhanging spray 

 of some large willow-trees, so as to catch what may be throvra to him, be- 

 fore it sinks in the water. There can be no doubt whatever of the iden- 

 tity of the bird. Indeed, he unequivocally shews that he recognises my 



