HERRING GULL. 547 



white space on the first quill, and in young ones that there 

 is no spot or band on the second. 



Male in Summek. — The bill is of a richer yellow; the 

 spot on the lower mandible inclining to carmine ; the feet of 

 a purer tint. There are no streaks on the head or neck, but 

 otherwise the plumage is the same as in winter. 



Female in Summer. — The female is similar to the male. 



Habits. — The Herring Gull, which is not more addicted to 

 follow the shoals of herrings than several others, is by far the 

 most numerous of our larger species, there being in all parts 

 where I have seen it at least an hundred individuals for one of 

 the Yellow-footed Gull, and double that number for one of the 

 Greater Black-backed. The proportions of course vary in diffe- 

 rent localities. Thus I have seen a rock tenanted by the latter 

 species almost exclusively, and many by the present. Mr. 

 Selby states that it is comparatively rare on the coast of Nor- 

 thumberland, Avhere the Lesser Black-backed Gull is common. 



During the winter it is dispersed along the coasts, chiefly 

 in the inlets and estuaries, where it assembles in vast numbers, 

 when the young herrings are congregated in them. Compa- 

 ratively few are then seen in the northern parts of Scotland, 

 and scarcely any of the young, Avhich on the other hand are 

 numerous on the southern coasts. On extensive beaches, 

 and especially on such as run out into an angle or point, 

 multitudes may be seen reposing, often intermingled with 

 Common Gulls, and sometimes with individuals of the two 

 Black-backed species. 



The flight of this Gull is strong, but buoyant, direct and 

 unwavering when the bird is proceeding toward a distant 

 place, and then usually elevated, but on ordinary occasions 

 somewhat devious, although from its size this species is not 

 capable of turning and Avinding so dexterously as the smaller 

 kinds. When engaged with a shoal of fry, the Herring Gulls 

 hover over the water, now ascending to the height of perhaps 

 twenty feet, then skimming close over the surface, and, on 

 observing an object, stretching upward and vibrating their 



