GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. o3d 



tlioir size are easily distinguished from the other Wagels or 

 Burgomasters hy the more distinct speckling \yith hlack of 

 their grey plumage. Like all the large Gulls, it is fond of 

 carrion. In winter, they all feed much on star-fish, a maigre 

 and frugal diet, it must he admitted. But the plethora of 

 herring in summer amply compensates for the abstinence of 

 winter. When flocks of Shags are passing their gluttonous 

 siesta on the rocks, a Marinus is very often perched near 

 them, and on such occasions he acts as their sentinel, hy 

 giving the alarm by his hoarse voice, or his taking flight 

 when we endeavour to approach within shot, His deport- 

 ment is dull and solitary, always, no doubt, having the star 

 fish in his gaze." 



Many interesting facts respecting it are given by Mr. 

 Thompson, who states that it is found around the coast of Ire- 

 land throughout the year, though a few only appear to breed 

 there. 



Young. — When fledged, the young have the bill brownish- 

 black, the base of the lower mandible flesh-coloured, the 

 tips yelloAvish ; the iris dark broAvn ; the feet livid flesh- 

 colour. The head and neck are greyish-white, streaked Avitli 

 brownish-grey, the streaks broader on the hind-neck. The 

 upper parts are mottled with brownish-black, brownish-grey, 

 and dull white ; the rump paler ; the Aving-coverts barred 

 with greyish-brown. The primary quills are blackish-brown, 

 slightly tipped with brownish-white. The tail-feathers are 

 white, with a patch of brownish-black toward the end, larger 

 on the middle feathers, Avhich are also barred toward the 

 base with dusky. The lower parts are greyish-Avhite, tinged 

 Avith broAvn, spotted and barred Avith dark broAvn. 



When about a Aveek old, the young are covered Avith 

 long, soft, rather sparse doAvn. The bill is broAvnish-black, 

 the tips for a considerable space horn-coloured, tinged Avith 

 yelloAV. The feet greyish-black, the claAvs brownish-black. 

 The general colour of the doAvn is greyish- Avhite, tinged Avith 

 yellow, spotted all over on the upper parts Avith deep broAvn, 

 the breast free of spots, those on the rest of the lower parts 

 paler. This description is taken from tAvo specimens taken 



