Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/402

374 places where they abound they are a great nuisance, as about Tranent and Gladsmuir, where common rat-traps are often set in their haunts. The same method of capturing them was many years ago successfully practised in this neighbourhood, when they were more abundant.

The Duck. I have seen mallards leave the sea at the mouth of the Tyne in broad day-light, and settle in fields of oats growing on land which had been reclaimed from the sea by the Earl of Haddington. In their well-known nocturnal excursions into barley-fields, they only feed, so far as I am aware, on the gleanings.

Common Gull. I am credibly informed by several of our ploughmen, that having once left a few drills sown with beans, uncovered for two or three hours, on their return they found that a flock of common gulls had carried off a large proportion of the seed. Prof. Macgillivray, in his 'Manual of British Birds,' mentions that this species feeds on grain. These petty pilferings are not generally known, and I never yet knew a farmer who did not hail their presence with delight.

I have remarked that other writers have laid much stress upon the supposed damage which newly-sown fields sustain from rooks, pigeons and small birds; and many farmers, especially those residing in the neighbourhood of towns, are careful to protect the ground. But if the harrowing is properly attended to, all this care is unnecessary, seeing that none of the above-mentioned birds are given to scraping, and they ought to be permitted to enjoy the uncovered grains in peace. The injuries which some birds inflict on our crops, are too apt to attract our attention, and we are prone to forget their services. But I fondly anticipate the period, when ignorance and prejudice concerning their habits is dispelled, that they will receive greater protection and encouragement. I should be delighted to read a similar series of remarks, drawn up by some of the English correspondents of 'The Zoologist;' for it is only by pursuing such a plan, that we can ever attain to a correct knowledge of the injuries which we sustain from birds. From what has been stated, I think no one can help remarking the influence which local agricultural practices exert upon the birds inhabiting the district. The classic White recognized this grand principle:—"Every kingdom, every province, should have its monographer."