408 SCOULTON MERE, NORFOLK, AND 



great island is called, on which Scotch firs and birches grow. If an 

 unfortunate Heron appears they mob him, and keep even the Swans 

 at a respectful distance with blows on the head. After the Gulls leave, 

 however, the Herons frequently take possession of the mere. 



Mr. Weyland has constructed a path, called "the twenty-foot road," 

 all round, which makes a dry and agreeable promenade, whence the 

 visitor may view the islets of the broad water, which are named Tea Island, 

 Boat-house Island, &c. &c. 



Many years ago the greater portion of Scoulton parish was common 

 land ; and the mere is part of the allotment to the Weyland family. Long 

 may it flourish and protect these Gulls, who probably are the oldest 

 inhabitants, as they are mentioned by Sir Thomas Browne as breeding 

 there in his time ; and they may be coeval with the lake itself. 



The birds arrive some time in February. On March 28th, 1876, seven 

 Black-headed Gulls were passing over in migration across one end of 

 a field in Sussex in a certain direction. About an hour afterwards five 

 more were seen, exactly in the same line. Presently some common Gulls 

 arrived ; but all went in the exact track, though there were many miles 

 between them. This was the curious line of flight which I have so 

 often seen. They never deviated from the road. 



The keeper states that he took 6000 eggs last season ; and these eggs 

 fetch Is. per dozen. But in the time of the Rev. Richard Lubbock— as 

 mentioned in 'Fauna of Norfolk,' in my edition (1845) — it is said (p. 123) 

 that an average season produces more than 30,000 eggs ; five years before 

 that they took 44,000. 



