BIRDS OF NEW YORK T29 



Migration. The Herring gulls which remain all winter on the lakes 

 and open rivers of the State are joined in March or early April, when the 

 ice goes out, b}- large numbers which have spent the winter farther south. 

 They continue common on the lakes till late in May. During June and 

 July few, if any, are seen in the interior of the State except a small number 

 which are summer residents of the Adirondacks. In early August this gull 

 begins to appear again on our inland waters and continues to increase in 

 numbers until the first of November when the majority gradually depart 

 for the south. On the lower Hudson, Dr Fisher gives its average time of 

 arrival as September 21st, and its departure for the north, May 9th. On 

 Long Island, it comes from the north in September and departs in May. 



Haunts and habits. The Herring, or Winter gull, is the species usually 

 seen coursing along the shore, or lying in long "beds" on the sand bars or on 

 the water some distance offshore, both on the inland lakes and the seacoast. 

 They are continually circling abotit the harbors or following garbage scows 

 in flocks of thousands. They also follow coastwise vessels to feed on refuse 

 cast overboard b>' the cooks, and when the coveted morsels are thrown in 

 the sea, the few birds which are near the ship are joined in an incredibly 

 short time by dozens and sometimes hundreds of birds, when the air above 

 the floating crackers and bacon scraps becomes a confused tangle of scream- 

 ing gulls, until the last vestige is devoured. It is quite impossible to deceive 

 these birds by throwing bits of wood or cigar stubs from the boat ; although 

 I have seen it tried many times, no birds appeared to take the slightest 

 notice, but as soon as a piece of cracker was thrown, there was immediately 

 an eager scrimmage. I have often sat on deck and watched the soaring 

 gulls above the masthead with scarcely any motion of their wings, moving 

 against a 10 mile breeze and maintaining the same position with reference 

 to the ship as she plowed along at the rate of 1 2 miles an hour. The Herring 

 gull becomes quite tame and friendly in cities and parks where it is pro- 

 tected, but on the lake shore and sound where gunners often molest it, 

 it becomes very wary, and I have had great difiRcultN' in securing specimens 

 in different ])lumages. On its breeding grounds, the scream of this bird. 



