THE BLACK -HEADED GULL 



(Larus ridibundus) 



We generally associate the Gull with the coast — with the 

 wide waste of waters, the lonely shore, the rocks and the 

 mudflats ; but in the Black-headed Gull we have a bird of the 

 inland districts. In many of its habits the Black-headed Gull 

 resembles the Book. Like that species it may be seen following 

 the plough, or searching the grass lands for food. In spring 

 and summer this Gull lives in colonies of varying size, and 

 for miles and miles around them the birds are familiar objects 

 of the landscape, scattering themselves up and down the 

 country in search of food. They fly in little parties to the 

 newly-sown lands; they visit the meadows, and follow the 

 course of rivers for miles ; and are as much at home in the 

 fields as the black Books themselves, which often mingle with 

 them. I have watched these birds follow the plough, furrow 

 after furrow, running behind close to the ploughman's heels, 

 tamer than Books, searching amongst the rich brown earth 

 as the bright share turns it over, and feeding on the worms 

 and grubs it is for ever exposing. They are very conspicuous 

 birds on the green pastures and brown fallows ; and sometimes 

 they may be seen to fly up into the tall trees in the hedges 

 and sit there with as little concern as the Books and Starlings. 

 In autumn, after the young are safely reared, this bird 

 deserts the inland fields and marshes and seeks the coast, 

 especially those portions which are low and muddy; and here 



