THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
63 
heard my servant calling out with great exultation, 1 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 1826,* lie 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, 1830. 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 1832, 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.” 
