530 LARUS MARINUS. 



colour. The colours of the plumage as in Avintcr, but the 

 head and neck pure ^vhite, -svitliout streaks. 



Female in Summer. — Similar to the male. 



Habits. — The Great Black-backed Gull is among the 

 most beautiful of a tribe remarkable for beauty. The contrast 

 betAveen the dark purple tint of his back and wings and the 

 snoAvy white of the rest of his plumage, Avith the bright car- 

 mine-patched yellow of his powerful bill, and the delicate 

 pinkisli hue of his feet, render him an object at all times 

 agreeable to the sight. No sprinkling of dust, no spot of 

 mud, ever soil his downy clothing ; his bill exhibits no tinge 

 derived from the subject of his last meal, bloody or half- 

 putrid though it be ; and his feet, laved by the clear brinej 

 are ever beautifully pure. There he stands on the sandy 

 point, the guardian as it Avere of that flock of not less cleanly 

 and scarcely less lovely Herring Gulls and Sea Mcavs. But, 

 not giving us more credit for our good intentions than Ave 

 deserve, he spreads out his large Avings, stretches forth his 

 strong neck, runs a feAv paces, and, uttering a loud screaming 

 cry, springs into the air. Some gentle flaps of those vigorous 

 Avings carry him to a safe distance, Avhen he alights on the 

 smooth Avater, and is presently joined by his clamorous com- 

 panions. Buoyantly they float, each Avith his head to the 

 Avind, like a fleet of merchantmen at anchor, secured from 

 the attacks of pirates by the presence of their gallant convoy. 

 If in mere Avantonness you discharge your artillery, sending 

 a bullet skipping among tlic flock, they hurriedly rise on 

 wing, fill the air Avith their cries, and wheel around at a safe 

 distance, AA'hile the Black -backed Gull, disdaining to mingle 

 Avith the clamorous croAvd, after a foAv Avide circlings flies off" 

 seaAvard, and is soon out of sight. 



When Avatching for Eagles in a covered pit, I haA'c seen 

 it come to the carrion, alight at a little distance, look around, 

 walk up to it Avith short steps, and commence tugging at the 

 entrails or tearing morsels from the flesh. In this it is some- 

 times joined by the Herring Gull. Should a Raven an-ivc, 

 the Gulls continue their repast, the i)avties not interfering 



