374 Birds. , 



places where they abound they are a great nuisance, as about Tranent 

 and Gladsmuir, where common rat-traps are often set in their haunts. 

 The same method of capturing them was many years ago successfully 

 practised in this neighbourhood, when they were more abundant. 



TTie Duck. I have seen mallards leave the sea at the mouth of the 

 Tyne in broad day-light, and settle in fields of oats growing on land 

 which had been reclaimed from the sea by the Earl of Haddington. 

 In their well-known nocturnal excursions into barley-fields, they only 

 feed, so far as I am aware, on the gleanings. 



Common GidL I am credibly informed by several of our plough- 

 men, that having once left a few drills sown with beans, uncovered for 

 two or three hours, on their return they found that a flock of common 

 gulls had carried off a large proportion of the seed. Prof. Macgilli- 

 vray, in his 'Manual of British Birds,' mentions that this species feeds 

 on grain. These petty pilferings are not generally known, and I ne- 

 ver yet knew a farmer who did not hail their presence with delight. 



I have remarked that other writers have laid much stress upon the 

 supposed damage which newly-sown fields sustain from rooks, pigeons 

 and small birds ; and many farmers, especially those residing in the 

 neighbourhood of towns, are careful to protect the ground. But if 

 the harrowing is properly attended to, all this care is unnecessary, 

 seeing that none of the above-mentioned birds are given to scraping, 

 and they ought to be permitted to enjoy the uncovered grains in peace. 

 The injuries which some birds inflict on our crops, are too apt to at- 

 tract our attention, and we are prone to forget their services. But I 

 fondly anticipate the period, when ignorance and prejudice concern- 

 ing their habits is dispelled, that they will receive greater protection 

 and encouragement. I should be delighted to read a similar series of 

 remarks, drawn up by some of the English correspondents of * The 

 Zoologist ; ' for it is only by pursuing such a plan, that we can ever 

 attain to a correct knowledge of the injuries which we sustain from 

 birds. From what has been stated, I think no one can help remark- 

 ing the influence which local agricultural practices exert upon the 

 birds inhabiting the district. The classic White recognized this 

 grand principle : — " Every kingdom, every province, should have its 

 monographer." Archibald Hepburn. 



Whittinghara, E. Lothian, 

 October 4, 1843. 



