180 THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



heard my servant calling out with great exultation, "Sir, Big Gull is come 

 back!" I accordingly found him walking about in his old haunts in the 

 garden, in company with, and recognising (as I am firmly persuaded) his old 

 friend the Heron. He disappeared in the evening, and returned in the 

 morning, for several days; when Peggy Oliver thought it best to secure 

 him. He evidently did not like confinement, and it was concerted that he 

 should be allowed his liberty, although he ran much risk of being shot on 

 the mill-pond by youthful sportsmen from Edinburgh. After this temporary 

 captivity, he was more cautious and shy than formerly; but still he made 

 almost daily visits to the garden, and picked up herrings or other food laid 

 down for him. In the beginning of March 1823 his visits ceased; and we 

 saw no more of him till late in the autumn of that year. These winter visits 

 to Canonmills, and summer excursions to the unknown breeding-place, were 

 continued for years with great uniformity: only I remarked that after the 

 Gull lost his protectress, who died in 1S26,* he became more distant in his 

 manners. In my note-book, under date of 26th October, 1829, I find this 

 entry: 'Old Peggy's Great Black-backed Gull arrived at the pond this 

 morning, the seventh (or eighth) winter he has regularly returned. He had 

 a scorie with him, which was soon shot on the loch, by some cockney 

 sportsman.' The young bird, doubtless 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, 1S30. 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 1S32, not only October, but the months of November and December 

 passed away without Gull's 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 hovered over 

 my head.' He disappeared early in March as usual, and reappeared at 



* "Peggy Oliver was remarkable for the zeal and taste she displayed in the domesti- 

 cating of uncommon animals, as well as in the culture of plants: her expertness in the 

 latter department is noticed and praised by Mr. Loudon in his Gardener's Magazine. 

 Her funeral was attended by some of the most distinguished naturalists here, and, among 

 others, by your friend Dr. MacCulloch of Pictou, who happened to be in Edinburgh at 

 the time, and whose friendship I have also the happiness to enjoy." 



