GULLS" AN D* FERNS. 25 
before taking flight, and that when alighting they 
frequently keep their long wings unfolded and erect 
for a moment or two before finally closing them. 
Great numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 
other species collect in Tor Bay during the herring 
and sprat seasons, and at these times they will wait 
and watch about the harbours and quays in fluttering 
hosts for the odd fish, and offal... The ‘note of 
this Gull very closely resembles that of the 
Herring Gull, so closely, in fact, that no symbol 
can denote the difference. It may be syllabled as 
kli-ou-kli-ou, and during the breeding season is 
_ very persistently uttered. Owing to its relatively 
longer wings, this Gull looks more graceful in the 
air than its larger and heavier congener: its flight 
is remarkably easy and buoyant, and on occasion 
rapid. 
The usual breeding places of the Lesser Black- 
backed Gull are low rocky islands—these larger 
Gulls always prefer an island, covered with coarse 
marine grass, sea campion, and the like—but in some 
localities a rock stack, an island in an inland lake, 
on grassy downs, in mosses, and flows. This Gull 
usually breeds in colonies, and some of these are 
very large. One of the most extensive, within the 
present writer’s experience, is situated on the Farne 
Islands. The entire group of islands may be re- 
garded as one vast colony of Lesser Black-backed 
Gulls, if we except a few of the outlying rocks, 
where the Cormorants breed. It is more than 
