286 THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL 
hatched it is very impatient of having its stronghold invaded, and 
resents molestation by darting at the head of the intruder. The 
Lesser Black-Backed Gull breeds habitually on many parts of the 
coast, especially such as are frequented by the Herring Gull. Its 
food and habits are much the same as those of the Common Gull. 
In the South of England, the nesting-places are confined to Devon 
and Cornwall, but there are colonies on the Farne Islands, the Isle 
of Man and Wales. 
THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL 
LARUS MAR{NUS 
Wings extending but little beyond the tail; legs pale flesh-colour. Length 
thirty inches; breadth about five feet nine inches. In most other 
respects resembling the Lesser Black-Backed Gull. Eggs stone-buff, 
blotched and spotted with dusky brown. 
OF the two Black-Backed Gulls, the Greater, or ‘Cobb’, is by far 
the less frequent on our coasts, and when seen generally occurs in 
pairs. It remains with us all the year, but is most frequent in 
the south during winter. In spring, Great Black-Backed Gulls for 
the most part withdraw to cliffs and rocky islands far north, as, 
for instance, the Orkneys and Hebrides, where they are numerous, . 
a few only nesting southwards. Unlike most other Gulls, birds 
of this species are unsociable even in the breeding season. They 
build their nests on the most inaccessible parts of the rocks, and 
reserve the situation entirely to themselves, not even permitting 
birds of their own species or any other intruders to settle there. 
They are exceedingly wary, and give notice of the approach of 
danger to other animals. Consequently, they are held in dislike by 
the gunner, whether in pursuit of sea-birds or seals. Like the rest 
of the Gulls, they are omnivorous, but are, more than any others, 
addicted to carrion, in quest of which they often wander inland ; 
hence, they are sometimes called Carrion Gulls. ‘If a floating 
prize presents itself’, says Mr. St. John, “such as the remains of a 
large fish or dead bird, it is soon discovered by one of the large 
Gulls, who is not, however, allowed to enjoy his prize alone, for 
every one of his fellows within sight joins in tearing it to pieces. 
When I have winged a Duck, and it has escaped and gone out to sea, 
I have frequently seen it attacked, and devoured almost alive, by 
these birds.’ 
Stations occur here and there on the coast of England in which 
the Great Black-Backed Gull builds. It sometimes resorts to a 
marsh at the breeding season, but retains its habit of driving away 
all intruders. Its eggs are prized as dainties, being thought to 
resemble Plovers’ eggs. 
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