THE HERRING GULL. 29 



At the end of the fourth year he appeared to have completed his Toilet^ 

 and although his garments at that time did not exhibit the hue which the 

 deep blue sea imparts to them, still his appearance was very creditable, 

 considering the narrow bounds to which he was restricted. 



In the preceding remarks I have confined myself entirely to his habits 

 while in confinement; for I presume his habits naturally are sufiiciently known. 

 Independent of his love for Jlsh, he is a good judge of fowl, and much 

 amusement I have had by witnessing [him struggling through a legion of 

 clamorous Kittiwakes, stationed along the front of a precipice, which appeared 

 to be taking satisfaction on him for having eaten up some of their families. 



This is quite a common occurrence, and I have little doubt that, when 

 opportunity occurs, his young are for some time principally supported at the 

 expense of this harmless and interesting community; for the young of both 

 are produced about the same period. I think we are quite entitled to 

 suppose that, from the great length of time which this bird takes to arrive 

 at maturity, he is long-lived; although I am not aware that he has ever 

 been allowed a place amongst the patriarchal races of Swans, Eagles, Eavens, 

 and Pelicans; the ages of which are recorded from one hundred up to three 

 hundred years; and I am inclined to think that if ^^Snow" had not been unfor- 

 tunately killed at the end of his sixth year, he might have lived to the 

 age of "Oh Uncle Ned !" 



I have been informed that the habits of (Larits fuscits,) the Lesser Black- 

 backed Gull, are equally rapacious; but never having seen him, I feel inclined 

 to give him the benefit of any doubt. As far as my experience goes, however, 

 I am bound to acknowledge the Blue-back, (L. ArgentafAis,) a most disting-ui&hed 

 cannibal, and superior to any other class amongst the fowls of the air. He 

 gives no quarter, and consumes the unfortunate slowly within his interior — 

 just as the court of chancery does with a great estate. This Gull • arrives 

 at Ailsa Craig early in April, lays three eggs about the middle of May, 

 and the young take wing about the 20th. of July; there is little difierence 

 in colouring or size between the eggs of this bird and those of the Lesser 

 Black-back, and if any does exist, it is in those of the latter being occasionally 

 found a shade darker. 



As the nidification of birds has of late created some little attention, it 

 afibrds me an opportunity of describing in what manner these two birds 

 begin their domestic arrangements for the season. They display no cunning 

 whatever in selecting a situation for their nest, which consists of a variety 

 of torn-up weeds and grasses, in place of the dried and brushy material 

 usually collected by other birds for that purpose; and the great majority of 

 those which I have found have been quite exposed, and in many instances 

 close beside detached fragments of rock, in situations closely approaching to 

 table land. Necessity very frequently compels them to place their nests 

 where neither pasturage nor any other kind of shelter afibrds them any 

 protection; but from this circumstance I do not consider that any rule ought 



