THE COMMON GULL 



{Larus canus) 



The Common Gull scarcely deserves its name, for it is 

 certainly the rarest and most local of all the resident British 

 species, and its habits during the breeding season can only 

 be observed in the north. I have never met with this 

 bird common anywhere, and its colonies with which I am 

 acquainted are comparatively small. 



In many of its habits the Common Gull very closely 

 resembles the Black -headed Gull. Like that bird, it may 

 often be seen on the inland pastures miles from the breeding- 

 place, following the plough. It may be readily distinguished 

 from its smaller congener by the absence of the brown hood, 

 and by its yellowish-green bill, legs, and feet, which in the 

 Black -headed Gull are dark red. It runs about the rough 

 land picking up grubs and worms, or stands on the big lumps 

 of earth, and if frightened sometimes takes refuge in the 

 nearest tree. I have often met with this bird on the higher 

 moors, miles away from the sea, where the Dunlins breed, or 

 flying over the deep clear tarns and lochs. It often follows 

 the course of a loch or a long narrow arm of the sea for miles 

 and miles up the country, and seems always to prefer the 

 land-locked waters to the open sea. I remember on one 

 occasion to have watched a large party of these birds fishing 

 along the shores of Loch Carron. The waves were lashing 

 along shore, and driving with fury before a stiff northerly 



