674 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



beach between Teesmouth and Saltburn, feeding on the edge 

 of the tide amongst crustaceans which were washed ashore 

 in myriads. A few non-breeding birds remain on the coast 

 throughout the summer. 



Being an inland nester this Gull is observed away from 

 the tide more frequently than any other of the Laridas, and 

 has occurred in most parts of the county, generally in the 

 neighbourhood of lakes, reservoirs, or streams ; it also associ- 

 ates with Rooks in following the husbandman in ploughing 

 time. 



Occasionally odd examples assume the dark hood very 

 early ; one with the black head has been reported in November, 

 two years in succession, in Whitby harbour ; whilst at the 

 same place an instance, if it may be so termed, of birds 

 adapting themselves to the advantages of civilization was 

 noticed in January 1903, when a number of these Gulls was 

 observed as late as half-past ten p.m., feeding by the light 

 of the electric lamps opposite the Museum. 



The specimen from which Bewick made his figure of the 

 " Red-legged Gull " is this species in winter plumage, and 

 was in the Tunstall or Allan Museum (cf. Fox's " Synopsis," 

 p. 94). 



The local vernacular names are many and varied. It 

 was termed Black Cap by Tunstall (1784) ; Black Cap Mew 

 by Bishop Nicholson (1702) ; Sea Crow by Tunstall, and 

 also in the Western Ainsty ; Pigeon Gull at Spurn and Scar- 

 borough ; Peewit Gull by Tunstall (1784), Graves (1808), 

 at Spurn and in the East Riding ; Land Maul and Carr Swallow 

 in east Yorkshire ; Black Cap Gull in Wensleydale ; Sharpie, 

 at Bridlington ; Tumbler or Tumbling Gull at Redcar (so 

 called from its habit of turning in the air like a Tumbler 

 Pigeon), and Tunney at Whitby. 



[The Laughing Gull {Larus atricilla, L.) is reported to 

 have been obtained near Filey (Tuck, Zool. 1876, p. 4960), but 

 this species is not recognised as a British bird. Cf. YarreU, 

 4th Ed. Vol. iii. p. 606, and Saunders's " Manual," 2nd Ed. 

 p. 662.] 



