668 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



in Williamson's Scarborough Catalogue, where it is stated 

 that " The Little Gull is obtained generally during the 

 prevalence of strong north-easterly winds " {P.Z.S. 1836, 

 iv., p. 77). 



Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote : — 



Larus minuius. — Little Gull — F. O. Morris says it has been shot 

 near Scarborough. I believe this is confirmed in Yarrell's " Birds," 

 on the testimony of Patrick Hawkridge, an industrious and persevering 

 naturalist. Another specimen was killed about a fortnight ago at 

 Bridlington, which was sent to Hugh Reid of Doncaster to stufif. A. 

 Strickland has known several of these birds killed near Bridlington, 

 but thinks he never knew above one killed during a winter ; the breeding 

 haunts of this bird do not seem to be known, and are probably distant, 

 as I never met with it in full plumage. 



The Little Gull is an autumn and winter visitant to this 

 county, irregular, and varying in numbers, though it appears 

 in most seasons, and has occurred more frequently on this 

 coast than in any other part of the United Kingdom, being 

 therefore of more than passing interest to Yorkshire ornith- 

 ologists. 



As a rule it is observed in September and October, though 

 in February of the year 1870 it was very abundant during 

 stormy weather ; and the vicinity of Flamborough and 

 Bridlington is most favoured by its presence, the host of 

 Kittiwakes and other Gulls feeding around the Headland 

 attracting it to the fishing grounds ; while, judging from the 

 reports received relating to this part of the coast, no fewer than 

 one hundred and fifty of these beautiful little Gulls have 

 been obtained there, though perhaps some of the records 

 may have been duplicated, as in the years of plenty there 

 would, doubtless, be notices sent from both Flamborough 

 and Bridlington referring to the same specimens. Mr. T. 

 Boynton of the latter place procured thirty, most of which 

 he shot himself, between the years 1868 and 1872, several 

 being adult birds, whilst Mr. M. Bailey, the veteran taxidermist 

 of Flamborough, up to the year 1881, had had forty through 

 his hands. In the course of conversation with him he informed 

 me that he once observed a flock of about twelve of these birds, 

 and he, perhaps, has done more than any one to make it known 



