HERRING GULL. 469 



season at most of the localities frequented by the Lesser 

 Black-backed Gull. The Herring Gull is particularly nume- 

 rous at the Isle of Wight, from Freshwater Gate, to that 

 group of isolated rocks, some of which, from their conical and 

 pointed forms, are called the Needles ; and these birds are 

 also found at many places where the cliffs are high along the 

 line of coast extending to the westward. These Gulls make 

 a nest of grass on the ledges and other flat portions of the 

 cliff near the top, Avhere they lay three eggs, which closely 

 resemble those of the Lesser Black-backed Gull. They are 

 of a light olive-brown, spotted with two shades of dark brown, 

 and measure two inches and a half in length, by one inch and 

 three-quarters in breadth. 



This Gull, from its partiality to fish, distinguished by the 

 name of Herring Gull, feeds upon surface-swimming fish, 

 mollusca, and radiata. This species is particularly bold in 

 approaching the boats and nets of the fishermen ; and in 

 Italy has acquired the name of Pescatore. 



A pair of this species bred in captivity at Quy Hall, the 

 residence of J. T. Martin, Esq. ; two eggs were laid, and 

 one young bird was reared. 



The Herring Gull is common, and resident, on many of 

 the rocky parts of the coast of Ireland ; it is found along the 

 line of the coast of Wales, in Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorset- 

 shire, and Hampshire, On the eastern coast it is observed 

 in Suffolk and Norfolk ; but Mr. Selby mentions that it is 

 far less numerous on the Northumbrian coast than the Lesser 

 Black-backed Gull. Mr. J. Macgillivray says, the Herring 

 Gull is abundant on some of the islands of the Outer He- 

 brides, never breeding in the interior like the Common Gull, 

 but always on the coast. Mr. Hewitson notices the fine cliff 

 of Sumburgh Head, the southern termination of Shetland, as 

 a place where the Herring Gull breeds abundantly. Mr. 

 Dunn says, this species is very numerous both in Orkney and 



