28 BRITISH ‘SEA BIRDS: 
Wild, stormy weather, I have repeatedly noticed, 
will also drive this Gull landwards sooner, perhaps, 
than any other species. Like its congeners, it is 
practically omnivorous. Carrion is sought after as 
readily as living fish and other marine creatures. 
I have also known this species regularly to visit 
a slaughter-house near the coast, to feed upon the 
offal thrown upon the pastures for manure; and | 
have repeatedly watched the pure-plumaged birds 
fighting with the Rooks and Crows for a share of 
the feast. This Gull will also feed on grain, grubs, 
and worms, is a constant follower of vessels, and 
congregates in unusual numbers at fishing harbours 
during the sprat and herring seasons. In its flight 
it is graceful in the extreme, and it may often be 
seen soaring at a vast altitude like a Vulture. 
Writing on the flight of this Gull, Gatke (in his 
fascinating work, [eligoland, as an Ornithological 
Observatory) says: “ Not only are these Gulls able 
to soar in a calm atmosphere in a direction straight 
forwards, or sideways, on calmly outspread wings, 
but, as has been more fully discussed in the case of 
Buzzards, they can also, in a manner similar to 
theirs, soar upwards to any desirable altitude. The 
Gulls are able to perform their soaring movements 
on the same plane in all phases of the weather, 
during the most violent storm, as well as in a 
perfect calm, progressing forwards or sideways 
at the most variable rates of velocity ; now darting 
along with the swiftness of an arrow, now merely 
