THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 181 



Canonmills on 23d December, 1S33, being a fortnigbt earlier than the date 

 of his arrival in the preceding season, but six weeks later than the original 

 period of reappearance. He left in the beginning of March as usual, and I 

 find from my notes that he 'reappeared on 30th December, 1S34, for the 

 season, first hovering around and then alighting on the pond as in former 

 years.' The latest entry is, '11th March, 1835. The Black-backed Gull 

 was here yesterday, but has not been seen to-day; nor do I expect to see him 

 till November.' 



"This Gull has often attracted the attention of persons passing the village 

 of Canonmills, by reason of its sweeping along so low or near the ground, and 

 on account of the wide expanse of wing which it thus displays. It is well 

 known to the boys of the village as "Neill's Gull," and has, I am aware, 

 owed its safety more than once to their interference, in informing passing 

 sportsmen of its history. When it first arrives in the autumn, it is in the 

 regular habit of making many circular sweeps around the pond and garden, 

 at a considerable elevation, as if reconnoitring; it then gradually lowers its 

 flight, and gently alights about the centre of the pond. Upon the gardener's 

 mounting the garden-wall with a fish in his hand, the Gull moves towards 

 the overhanging spray of some large willow-trees, so as to catch what may 

 be thrown to him, before it sinks in the water. There can be no doubt 

 whatever of the identity of the bird. Indeed, he unequivocally shews that 

 he recognises my voice when I call aloud 'Gull, Gull;' for whether he be on 

 wing or afloat, he immediately approaches me. 



"A few pairs of the Great Black-backed Gull breed at the Bass Rock 

 yearly, and it seems highly probable that my specimen had originally been 

 hatched there. If I may be allowed a conjecture, I would suppose that, after 

 attaining maturity, he for some years resorted to the same spot for the 

 purpose of breeding; but that of late years, having lost his mate or encoun- 

 tered some other disaster, he has extended his migration for that purpose to 

 some very distant locality, which has rendered his return to winter quarters 

 six weeks later than formerly." 



Larus marinds, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 225. 

 Black-backed Gdll or Cobb, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 308. 



Great Blacked-billed Gull, Larus marinus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 305; vol. v. 

 p. 636. 



Male, 2 9 J, 67. 



Not uncommon during winter as far south as Florida, the young especially. 

 Common from New York to Labrador, where it breeds. Lake Erie, Ontario, 

 the St. Lawrence, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers. Columbia river. 



