LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL 431 
districts is distinctly migratory in others. On the Dublin 
coast it is very uncommon between November and February, 
and for many seasons I have not seen more than a few 
stragglers remain throughout the winter. 
The habits of this and the preceding species are much 
alike, but the Lesser Black-backed Gull is not so gregarious 
nor so purely maritime. Thus both may be noted follow- 
ing up sprats on the open sea, seeking the shelter of 
bays and harbours, visiting tidal rivers in search of offal, 
or foraging on rocky and flat portions of the coast. But, 
in addition, the Lesser Black-backed Gull will often wander 
inland for many miles. I have seen it flying along canals 
twenty miles from the sea, generally singly or in parties 
of two or three. 
In March, numbers appear on city-rivers, and many of 
them pass inland beyond the quays. Accustomed to the 
more gentle-tinted plumes of the adult Herring-Gulls, which 
are never absent from our rivers, wharves, and quays, our 
attention is at once arrested by the strong contrast colours 
of the Lesser Black-backed Gull. And as each succeeding 
spring returns with its warm gleams of sunshine, we 
welcome the arrival of this splendid bird. Unfortunately, 
it is not a general favourite; on moors and such localities 
where game is preserved it has to be kept in constant 
check by the keepers, as it is a marauder, and the safety 
of eggs or nestlings cannot be assured as long as it lurks 
about. 
Away from its breeding-haunts, this bird sometimes col- 
lects into small parties; in the months of July and August I 
have seen as many as thirty together in various plumages, 
walking over the ooze-flats of Dublin Bay. But though 
not very gregarious it is decidedly sociable, and will alight 
and feed among flocks of shore-birds, including the smaller 
‘waders. Like the Herring-Gull, it will follow steamers 
in search of food, apparently all through the night. Thus 
on August Ist, 1900, I travelled from Dublin to Glasgow. 
The boat steamed off at about 6 p.m., and while still in the 
River Liffey some twenty Herring-Gulls and three Lesser 
Black-backed Gulls followed astern. As we got out to sea 
several Kittiwakes accompanied us. I was much interested 
in the movements of one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls 
in partial immature plumage,' and with a disabled leg which 
'This Gull was apparently entering on its third year’s winter- 
plumage; the tail was white but broadly banded and spotted with 
