436 THE BIRDS OP KENT 



with such a colour on the wings. The general effect was 

 extremely beautiful," 



In 1896 Captain Boyd Alexander, in his notes from 

 Eomney Marsh, writes : " On June 4 I made an 

 expedition to the Hoppen " Petts," for the purpose of 

 inspecting the colony of Black-headed Gulls. The 

 " Petts," which lie about four miles south-east of Lydd, 

 consist of two large pieces of water of unknown depth. 

 They are, furthermore, fringed with treacherous reed- 

 beds which possess all the qualities of a dangerous bog. 

 They are also the home of many leeches. When within 

 a mile of these "Petts" I could discern a number of 

 Black-headed Gulls lining the banks, and looking like 

 so many lumps of white chalk. On a nearer approach 

 they all rose up, full of clamorous consternation — a 

 veritable sea rookery — and circled above the water. 

 They numbered about 200, and at least a quarter of 

 these wore the dress of immaturity. I discovered over 

 twenty nests, all containing eggs, with the exception 

 of two which had young. These nests were invariably 

 placed close to the edge of the reed-bed nearest the 

 water. On one small " reedy " promontory there were 

 no fewer than eight, situated hardly a yard apart. Of 

 late years this colony of Gulls has suffered much per- 

 secution, but the owner, Mr. Samson, of Lydd, exercises 

 now a strict surveillance over it, with the result, I am 

 glad to say, that the colony is rallying." 



