BLACK-HEADED GULL. 
295 
is at all times to be met with on the coast in the 
south of Scotland during winter, but in no propor- 
tion whatever to the large numbers that annually 
resort inland to breed, and there can be little doubt 
that a partial migration takes place to this country in 
spring, and from it again iu autumn. During win- 
ter a few ascend rivers, retiring seaward at night. 
On the river Annan, at that season, six or seven may 
be daily seen singly following its course upwards in 
the morning, resting and feeding among the shallows, 
and at night wending their way again downwards. 
They are at this season very shy, and being seldom 
long at rest, are difficult to approach even with the 
assistance of cover ; and they will always turn aside 
to a sufficient distance from any object they suspect. 
They are particular in choice of a breeding place, 
at least some which we would think suited for them 
are passed or deserted, and others more unlikely are 
selected. We possess a reedy loch which was for 
many years a haunt of these birds, but the edges 
were planted, and they left it; ten years after- 
wards, and when the plantation had grown up, a 
few pairs returned, and in time increased to a large 
colony, when an artificial piece of water was made 
by damming up a narrow pass in an extensive 
muir nearly two miles distant ; thither the gulls 
resorted the following spring, leaving their ancient 
ground, and they have been increasing in numbers 
for some years past. In Scotland it extends to the 
most northern counties, the Orkneys and Shetland. 
On the Continent the Black-lreaded Gull seems also 
