242 OUR RARER BIRDS 



birds collect into enormous companies and seek the distant 

 coasts. 



The Black-headed Gull now becomes a nomad, and wanders 

 far and wide in quest of food, visiting coasts which it never 

 frequents in spring and summer ; and sometimes flying long 

 distances from land to attend the fishermen in their labours. 

 This bird flies a good deal at night, and I have known 

 numbers to be taken in the flight-nets both in winter and 

 during the late autumn months. Severe weather sometimes 

 drives this Gull to inland districts, especially up the large 

 rivers, even to the centre of our busy Metropolis. It is ever 

 wary at this season though, and generally flies high and 

 keeps well out of danger. 



