HERRING-GULL 425 
Allied Species and Representative Forms.—The Eastern 
form of the Common Gull is larger and possesses a darker 
mantle. LZ. delawarensis, also a larger bird, but with a 
paler mantle and doubly-zoned beak, inhabits the North 
American Continent, while L. brachyrhynchus is a smaller 
bird, which is found from the Pacific to the Great Bear 
Lake. It is noteworthy that an immature example of L. 
canus was secured in Labrador on August 21st, 1860 
(Saunders). 
HERRING-GULL. Larus argentatus (J. F. Gmelin). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. v, pl. 
59; Dresser, ‘Birds of Europe,’ vol. viii, pl. 602, fig. 1; 
Lilford, ‘ Coloured Figures,’ vol. vi, pl. 23. 
The Herring-Gull, one of the large indigenous species, is 
abundant on our coasts throughout the year. Even in the 
breeding-season, when the adults have congregated about 
the headlands and precipitous islands, hundreds of immature 
birds’ continue to frequent the ooze-flats and sandy beaches. 
Indeed, during the late spring months, no Gull is more 
familar, or forms a more prominent feature on the sluggish 
waters of the city-estuaries and quays than the large ‘ tweed- 
plumed’ immature Herring-Gull Here, depending largely 
for its sustenance on floating refuse, 1t appears quite in- 
different to the shipping traffic of busy ports and harbours. 
It may be seen perched on cargo-sheds, on chimney-pots, 
and on roofs of factories, on the gunwales and riggings of 
boats, and on the summits of monumental figures.” 
It follows the cross-channel steamers and trawlers from 
port to port in search of food, and shows little if any alarm, 
‘The Herring-Gull takes several years to reach maturity ; hence the 
vast numbers of non-breeding birds, seen in various phases of plumage, 
all the year round on low-lying as well as on precipitous coasts. 
* Pinnacles of all kinds seem to offer a special attraction to the 
Herring-Gull. Even in their breeding-haunts some may be seen alight- 
ing on the summit of a great pointed rock, from which lofty eminence 
they shower down, in ‘ Gull-language,’ their menacing threats upon the 
intruder. 
