242 GREATER BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



On nimble wing, the Gull 

 Sweeps booming by, intent to cull 

 Voracious from the billow's breast, 

 Mark'd far away, his destined feast. 



Mant. 



They also take eggs, insects, worms, slugs, snails, grain of all kinds, 

 and any vegetable matter. They prefer decaying animal matter, 

 and thus aid the poet's bitter satire ; 



The Eagle soars above ! the Gull and Crow 

 Flock o'er the carrion, just as mortals do. 



Byron. 



They are very interesting birds, too, when they associate for 

 nesting purposes, in what have been termed " gulleries " ; but none 

 of them have ever built, so far as it is known, in Herefordshire, 

 and, indeed, they only visit the county during severe and stormy 

 weather on the coasts. 



The Common Gull may be seen most years in the valley of 

 the Wye, and it has not unfrequently been shot. A good specimen 

 was obtained at Staunton Park at Christmas, 1874. The bird 

 was observed swimming on the ornamental water, and was shot 

 by Mr. Dawson. Mr. King-King had it carefully preserved, and 

 it is still in his possession. Another beautiful specimen was shot 

 by Mr. Landon, at Lower Bullingham in 1883, which is now in 

 the Hereford Museum. A pair of Gulls was also observed at 

 Bredwardine on Easter Monday, 1884. 



LARUS MARINUS— Greater Black-backed Gull. 



The broad-winged Sea-gull's never at rest ; 

 For when no more he spreads his feathers free. 

 His crest is dancing on the restless sea. 



Keates— Epistle. 



This is a very magnificent bird ; it weighs about five lbs. ; is 



two feet six inches in length, and has a stretch of wing of not 



less than two feet nine inches. It has a slow powerful flight, now 



remaining almost motionless in the air, and again wheehng round 



in curves equally graceful and dignified. 



