64 
THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 
Canonmills on 23d December, 1833, being a fortnight earlier than the date 
of his arrival in the preceding season, but six weeks later than the offiginal 
period of reappearance. He left in the beginning of March as usual, and 
I find from my notes that he ‘reappeared on 30th December, 1834, 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 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-tfees, 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 
shows 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 
encountered 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.” 
Lards makinus, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i. p. 225. 
Black-backed Gull or Cobb, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 308. 
Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 305 ; 
vol. v. p. 636. 
Male, 29i 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. 
