EEPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1899 31 



Leaving Legerwood Church the party proceeded to the 

 Everett Moss, or, as it has been called, the Dowie Den Moss 

 Loch, or Pickie Moss, where the black-headed gulls, or 

 " pickmaws," nest in immense numbers. To get to it a 

 detour had to be made by Legerwood farm steading. The 

 village, as appears by the number of ash trees in a field 

 at the roadside, had stood near the present dwelling. The 

 loch lies in a hidden retired situation, little liable to dis- 

 turbance. It has been the haunt of these beautifully white 

 birds from time immemorial. They were seen in thousands 

 skimming backwards and forwards in the reedy water, or 

 ascending in a great cloud, filling the air with their harsh 

 clamour. In the mid-day sun the glancing of so many 

 snow-white wings formed a scene not soon to be forgotten. 

 A pair of teal, a number of mallards, and other water fowl 

 were also observed. It is a matter for congratulation that 

 all these interesting birds are now under the protection of 

 the law during their breeding season. A former Earl of 

 Lauderdale, known as the " Sailor Lord," when in weak 

 health, was ordered by his medical attendant to eat eggs 

 of the black-headed gull gathered from this moss, which 

 he did, and was benefited thereby. 



An old friend tells me that at one time something had 

 gone wrong with the sluicing of the mossy loch, and that 

 when the gulls returned in spring, for nesting purposes, 

 they found the moss too dry, and left. This occurred during 

 three consecutive seasons. After the sluicing was made good 

 they returned, but another season or two passed before they 

 " again appeared in countless numbers " on 



The age-long haunts, where they have made 

 Their marsh-defended nests, and laid 

 Their mottled eggs, and reared their young, 

 And o'er it thick as snowflakes hung, 

 Wheeling and screaming in delight, 

 A summer's day, a summer's night." 



Thus sings my old friend of the " pickies, 



