Zoological Memoranda, by Mr James Hardy. 431 



Shoveller Duck, {Anas clypeata). — Mr Wilson obtained 

 an example, July 25th, 1872, which had been shot by Mr 

 James Glen, Floors (Coldingham), in the pond there. Mr 

 Selby says, " rare upon the Tweed." 



Common Gull. — The operation of the gun act has made 

 me acquainted with one of the persecuted children of the sea. 

 A pair of Gulls, this spring, separated themselves from their 

 breeding quarters about Fastcastle, and took up their station 

 on a cliff near Siccar point, a few miles farther up the Firth. 

 I did not at first perceive their intent ; but one morning a 

 Gull was seen seated on the bank, with three Jackdaws 

 round it, with which, when I looked over, it appeared to be 

 holding a conference ; as it was shaking its head, and utter- 

 ing sounds not usually heard from a Gull. The light rogues 

 flew off, leaving the Gull at its post. Shortly after I was 

 also ranked as an intruder. One was still on the outlook, 

 and as soon as I approached, both it and its partner dashed 

 out, and circled round and round, with wild anxious cries ; 

 and one would pretend a rush towards me, and then consider 

 better of it, and wheel high up. They scattered their drop- 

 pings when thus alarmed ; and when there were companions 

 nigh to join, the clangour grew louder and fiercer and some- 

 what startling, where before scarcely a sound, not even the 

 waves, ruffled the quiet. The clamour never ceased till I 

 was out of sight. With the success of their strategy, the 

 wild cry was varied by a congratulatory " keeker, keeker " ; 

 and then when I disappeared, the bird settled down on its 

 perch, and a low musical note came across the bay. On 

 another occasion, I watched them by keeping out of view. 

 One was seated on the bank when its mate came homeward 

 from the sea. It flew suspiciously over the sentinel, then 

 examined on each side of it, then up the face of the cliff, and 

 then betook itself out to sea ; and then returned and slipped 

 quietly into the recess where the nest was situated. 



Owing to their present immunities, the Gulls, when they 

 have concluded their fishing, have become more confidential ; 

 and increasing numbers associate on the reefs of rocks, where 

 they sit in a crouching attitude, or, when the rocks are 

 immersed, alight on the banks. If disturbed, they fly off 

 silently in a body, with a low flight, always diverging wider 

 and wider as they recede ; some of them detaching them- 

 selves and returning to their resting place, while the bulk 



