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 habituaUy 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 Fame Islands, the Isle 

 of Man and Wales. 



THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL 



LARUS MARIN US 



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 GuUs, they are omnivorous, but are, more than an}' 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. 

 \Mien 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 

 tliese birds.' 



Stations occur here and there on the coast of England in wliich 

 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. 



