July 1, 1S70.1 



HARDWICKE'S SCIEN C E-GOSSIP. 



Lj9 



tail, and underparts pure white, the mantle grey, 

 and the primaries black and white ; but, on a near 

 inspection, it will be found that the distribution of 

 these colours varies in each, especially as re- 

 gards the primaries; that the colours of the bill 

 and legs are different ; and that the birds themselves 

 differ in size and structure. 



In the Herring Gull /the bill is yellow, with the 

 angle of the under mandible red ; eyelids, orange ; 

 irides, straw yellow ; legs and toes, flesh colour. It 

 would be difficult to choose a prettier study than a 

 fine old bird of this species standing in bold relief 

 against the dark limestone rock, a bunch of samphire 

 at its feet, and by its side the large and comfortable 

 nest, with its blotched and spotted eggs. The nest 

 is usually made of dry grass, but a foundation is 

 often laid of large dry stalks of heath or sea- 

 weed. We have seldom found more than three eggs 

 in a nest, and having frequently counted but three 

 young birds, it may be inferred that this is the usual 

 complement. The young, when first hatched and 

 lying still in the nest, so closely resemble the eggs 

 in colour that it is difficult to distinguish or count 

 them. It is not until they have begun to get the 

 use of their wings that they become lighter in 

 plumage, and it is evident that their parents must 

 assist them to the water, for we have seen young 

 gulls of this and other species swimming about with 

 the old birds long before they could fly. They are 

 three years in acquiring the adult plumage ; and, in 

 all probability, do not breed before this is fully 

 assumed. We have looked in vain, during the nest- 

 ing season, for immature or spotted birds amongst 

 many hundreds of old ones. 



From their habit of preying upon the herring fry, 

 and other surface-feeding fish, they have received 

 the name of Herring Gull. There is no doubt, how- 

 ever, that they are quite as omnivorous as others of 

 the genus. Crabs and shrimps are daily items in 

 the bill of fare, and mice and young birds are sure 

 to be pounced upon when they come in the way. 

 We have repeatedly seen Herring Gulls following 

 the plough and seizing worms and larvae from the 

 newly-turned soil. It is reported also that this 

 bird feeds on grain. 



It is easily tamed, and will breed in confinement. 

 The young have several times been reared in the 

 gardens of the Zoological Society, and other in- 

 stances have been from time to time recorded. A 

 pair of these birds, whicli had recovered the use of 

 dipt wings in the Gardens just mentioned, for 

 several successive years took their departure in the 

 spring and returned again in autumn. Whether 

 they instinctively repaired to rear their young in the 

 mean time, it is impossible to determine ; but this 

 was not improbably the case. We have heard of 

 several instances in which tame birds of this species 

 flew at large for weeks and months, returning at 

 intervals to be fed by their owners. 



The cry of the Herring Gull is not unlike that of 

 the Common Gull, a sort of hoarse laugh or cackle, 

 sounding like " 'wa- agh - agh - agh." Sometimes a 

 barking cry is preceded by a prolonged squeal, 

 like " wJiee-e-e-kiark-kiark-kiark-Jciark," and is gene- 

 rally uttered when they are frightened from the 

 nest. 



The practice of indiscriminately shooting gulls 

 for what is called " sport," and for the sake of gra- 

 tifying a fashionable rage for feathers, cannot be 

 too strongly deprecated, especially when it is known 

 that the unfortunate birds are most persecuted at a 

 time when they have eggs or young, because they 

 are then more readily approached. Such a practice 

 must inevitably lead to the total expulsion of many 

 species .from our cliffs. A rock without sea-gulls 

 is shorn of half its beauty ; and all true naturalists 

 must rejoice that recent legislation has provided 

 for the protection during the nesting season of the 

 delightful birds whose companionship at the sea- 

 side adds so much to the pleasure of a walk. 



J. E. Hasting. 



AVIARY BIRDS. 



AS it is now the season for birds, the names of a 

 few for the aviary might be acceptable to 

 some of the readers of Science-Gossip. 



The Canary bird has always been a favourite, — 

 gentle, familiar, and a good songster. An aviary is 

 not complete without it ; it is not only a good 

 songster, but sings at all seasons, and charms us in 

 the dullest weather with some of the finest tutored 

 song the world produces ; its song being an imita- 

 tion of the Titlark, Woodlark, and Nightingale. 

 The Norwich birds are best to keep, next are the 

 Yorkshire, and last of all the German ; for, although 

 their song is good, they are often quite off of song 

 in March, and seldom live more than two years in 

 this country. 



The Goldfinch, that sprightly, cheerful, and most 

 beautiful of English songbirds, is ever busy, always 

 doing something; singing, bathing, asserting his 

 right, flying his rounds, &c. &c. Some of them 

 will pair with the Canary, producing an incessant 

 songster, having the vigour of the Canary and the 

 sprightliness of the Goldfinch. 



The Siskin is a brisk and lively little fellow. It 

 has a peculiar song, but much inferior to the Gold- 

 finch, whose form and lively habits it somewhat 

 resembles ; it creeps along the branches, and sus- 

 pends itself after the manner of the Tomtit ; it is 

 the first to sing in the morning, and the last to 

 cease singing in the evening. Although a bird of 

 passage, it is seldom sick, and will live ten years in 

 cage. 



The Linnet is a bird much esteemed for song, 

 and in the mouth of May, taken from the field, is 



