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26 
upper portion, covered with small sallow and alder bushes, and a 
soft mossy turf, having more attractions for the snipes, wild 
ducks, and teal, that regularljr breed there ; and the sedgy margin 
forms a shelter for the nests of coots, water-hens, and dabchicks. 
The breeding haunt of the gulls is on an oozy surface, covered, 
during the season, Avith a short growth of reeds, Avhich effectually 
hides both nests and nestlings, — excejjting those placed close to the 
water’s edge, and a sprinkling of low bushes affords perching 
places for the gulls, notwithstanding their webbed feet. Occasion- 
ally even a bird may be seen upon the top of a flag-staff attached 
to a summer-house, on a small island, at the upper end of the 
Mere. 
To form any conception of the swarms of gulls Avhich here con- 
gregate yearly, for breeding purposes, it is desirable to visit the 
spot soon after their arrival, as the young reeds are then but of 
short groAvth, and the birds, just commencing their nesting duties, 
are more easily raised by the sound of the voice, to exhibit their 
full numbers. It is scarcely less interesting, however, later in the 
summer, to watch the nestlings just emerged from the shell, or, 
later still, the full fledged young ones, in their variegated plumage, 
sitting out on the oj^en water, or on the grassy banks of the ]\Iere. 
The date of the arrival of these gulls at Scoulton in spring, 
varies somewhat with the mildness or backwardness of the season, 
a few having been seen, at times, by the middle of Februarj^ 
though they more commonly make their appearance about the first 
or second week in March. By the 18th of April the first eggs 
are laid, rarely more than three in each nest, and after the usual 
gatherings seldom more than tAvo. For the first month two men are 
employed to collect three days a week, viz., Monday.s, "VYednesdays, 
and Fridays, picking up every egg they can find, and generally at 
the rate of from B500 to 2000 a day; but AA'hen in full laying, and 
left Aindisturbed from Friday to Monday, betAveen 3000 and 4000 
have been taken in one day. This, as may be imagined, is no easy 
task, OAving to the SAvampy nature of the soil, and the constant 
attacks of the gulls, Avho clamorously resent such treatment of 
their nests by incessantly dashing over the heads of the men, oven 
striking their hats and faces AAdth their Avings. 
In some places, as before stated, the condition of the “ hearth ” 
is so treacherous, that none but the birds themselves can safely 
