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COMMON GULL. 



Larus canus, Linnaeus. 



A regular visitor from August to April, a few birds 

 always remaining throughout the summer also, but not 

 breeding. Like most of the other Gulls, it is often 

 driven inland by storms. 



GKEATEE BLACK-BACKED GULL. 



Larus marinus, Linnaeus. 



This species is no doubt the Great Gull of which Dr. 

 Leigh (" Nat. Hist. Lane, &c.," 1700) speaks, and which 

 he says is nearly as large as a Goose, and breeds in vast 

 quantities in the isle of Walney. Here, however, it has 

 long been absent, but on Pilling Moss it has nested 

 within recent times, and the late Rev. J. D. Banister in 

 his Mss. writes, under date August 14, 1839, *' The 

 Black-Backed Gull (Larus uiariiius) is abundant on 

 Pilling sands and breeds on the mosses, lays two or 

 three eggs, and the 3'oung birds are hatched in the 

 latter part of June or beginning of July." A cor- 

 respondent of the Field of April 30, 1859, signing 

 J. H. S., stated that it had then been driven away from 

 Pilling, by being shot, and by having its nests destroyed, 

 owing to its killing the young of the Black-headed 

 Gulls, which then bred there, and it does not now nest 

 in any part of the county.* It may be seen throughout 

 the year, but is commonest in winter, in immature 

 plumage, and does not usually collect in flocks, but 

 seeks its food in pairs. Mr, T. Jackson informs me that 



* Mr. C. F. Archibald informs me that an isolated pair breed on 

 the feUs in Fiu'ness. — Ed. 



