436 LARID.E. 



piece of water of about ciglitecn acres, the skies of which are 

 green swamps, so spungy, that it is impossible to wallc upon 

 them. In these swamps the Black-headed Gulls breed in 

 great quantities, assembling in April, laying their eggs among 

 the rushes in May, and hatching in June. The young, till 

 they are able to fly, creep about among the reeds, or launch 

 out into the open water in fleets if a dog is sent into the 

 swamp to disturb them ; the old birds screaming, and almost 

 darting in the face of any one who approaches and dwells 

 upon the haunts of their young. There are also one or two 

 other breeding-places on an adjoining estate at Manton. As 

 soon as the young can fly they are seen scattered about the 

 neighbourhood, feeding in moist meadows, but soon leave the 

 place and return no more till the following spring. 



In Northumberland, Mr. Selby says, these Gulls have for 

 many years past enlivened the precincts of a large pond at 

 Pallinsburn, the seat of A. Askew, Esq. from whence flocks 

 (in consequence of the increase produced by the protection 

 afforded during the breeding-season) have at different times 

 detached themselves to such other situations in the neigh- 

 bourhood as possessed suitable facilities for reproduction. 

 The note of this Gull is a hoarse cackle, which, from its 

 effect when quickly repeated, has been compared to a laugh, 

 and has given rise to one of its specific appellations. Its 

 flight is easy and buoyant. Its food, small fishes, insects, 

 and worms. The Rev. Richard Lubbock, who sent me some 

 particulars of this species from Norfolk, mentions that he saw 

 several of these birds in June, 1841, dashing round some 

 lofty elms catching cockchafers. The eggs are yellowish- 

 olive-brown, spotted with two shades of darker brown ; the 

 length two inches one line and a half, by one inch and 

 six lines in breadth. When their nests are robbed the 

 birds are induced to lay two or three times, and Mr. Hewit- 

 son mentions that the eggs produced at these second and 



