HABITS OF THE HERRING GULL—STRONG. 507 
juvenal gulls crowding about an adult who, perhaps, sees its own 
offspring in the mob may be able to snatch the food regurgitated 
without regard to parental relationships. 
A large number of so-called lower birds like ducks, coots, etc., and 
the various species of gulls learn rather rapidly where they may feed 
and breed without molestation by man. In the course of only a 
week wild ducks become far less shy on bodies of water in or about 
cities than when they arrive, a matter of common observation. 
Gulls likewise recognize even more positively that they are rela- 
tively safe in such places, but they are exceedingly wary wherever 
shooting occurs. Such discrimination undoubtedly imvolves at 
least. the rudiments of intelligence even though the activities in ques- 
tion may be largely instinctive. 
I had hoped to carry on some experiments on modifiability in be- 
havior with gulls, but my time was taken up so largely with the gen- 
eral observations which I thought should come first that only a 
single experiment was started. An entire nest was moved 4 feet to 
one side at a distance of about 100 feet from my tent. The nest was 
under observation for several hours, and what appeared to be the 
owners were seen standing about the spot where the nest had been 
located. Though the birds seemed to be disturbed, they did not 
make any significant demonstrations of excitement, and they did 
not attempt to brood the eggs. 
SUMMARY.! 
1. The herring gull is gregarious in habit, but it is also quarrelsome. 
Some of the fights are undoubtedly the consequence of invasions 
upon nesting precincts, as stated by Herrick, but many are probably 
due to simple belligerency. This bird is often a great coward and 
may be routed by smaller birds. The fights between adults have 
always been harmless, in my experience. Herring gulls will fight 
fiercely for food when very hungry. 
2. Herrick’s conclusion that the frequent killing of the young by 
adults is the consequence of the instinct to guard a nesting precinct 
probably holds true in many cases. There is, however, some evi- 
dence that this is not always the explanation. Juvenals sometimes 
attack younger birds just as savagly as the adults do and in the same 
manner. 
3. Other birds often nest safely even on a small island densely 
populated by breeding gulls. 
4. The herring gull nests usually in places the most inadcessible 
to man that are available. The breeding place is usually on an island 
not inhabited by man. When seeking food or aside from the breed- 
1 This section is not complete. It includes principally the more important conclusions of this paper. 
