162 THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHIRE. 



that such may eventually prove to be the case, 

 having- regard to a locality in North Devon. The 

 late Mr. Stevenson found this species very abundant 

 at Teignmouth in the spring of the year. "At low 

 water these birds collect in large quantities along 

 the course of the Teign, dispersing themselves in 

 groups over the extensive sandbanks left bare by 

 the tide, and freely mingling with their sable 

 companions from adjacent rookeries, Carrion Crows 

 and Jackdaws, crowd the water's edge in search of 

 food" (Zool. 1860. p. 6793). 



HERRING GULL.— Lams argenfatus, Gmel. 



A NUMEROUS resident, breeding plentifully in North 

 and South Devon, on ledges of the sea cliffs. The 

 colonies at Wembury and Berry Head were a 

 source of unfailing interest to Mr. Gatcombe, who 

 frequently visited the former colony in the nesting 

 time. He records that a Herring Gull became so 

 attached to a private piece of water at Ivybridge, 

 as to make its head quarters there, quitting its home 

 " sometimes for a few weeks together for the sea- 

 coast, which is onl}^ a few miles distant, but 

 always returning again, looking to be fed " (Zool. 

 1872. p. 3168). He noticed the variability of size 

 to which the Herring Gull is subject, remarking; 

 " The other day I examined an enormous adult 

 specimen, which was fully as large as an ordinary 

 sized Larus marinus, its wing measuring nineteen 

 inches from the carpal joint" (Zool. 1876. p. 4901). 



