198 Strong, Habits of the Herring Gull. lApril 



4. The Herring Gull nests usually in places the most inacces- 

 sible to man that are available. The breeding place is usually on 

 an island not inhabited by man. When seeking food or aside from 

 the breeding season, this bird is frequently to be seen near human 

 habitations on the coast or following vessels. 



5. This gull is practically omnivorous in its habits according to 

 the observations of various writers. Animal food is preferred, 

 but other food may be eaten if the bird is hungry enough. 



6. The Herring Gull does not dive for its food to any extent, 

 and it never plunges vertically into the water as Terns do. 



7. Breeding begins later in Green Bay and on Lake Michigan 

 than at points on the Atlantic coast much farther north. This 

 difference is very likely due to the accumulation of ice in the 

 northern portions of the Great Lakes, which does not disappear 

 until after the beginning of spring. 



8. The nests are made of such material as is available, but fine 

 materials are preferred. 



9. The offspring are shaded by the parents on a hot day until 

 they are strong enough to leave their nest and seek a shaded spot. 



10. The young are given food which is first regurgitated upon 

 the ground. There may be promiscuous feeding of young birds 

 by adults not their parents. 



n. Young Herring Gulls not yet old enough to fly usually hide 

 when human intruders appear as is the case with other members of 

 the order. Sometimes only the head may be hidden but the bird 

 sits perfectly still. If removed from its hiding place, the hiding 

 instinct is replaced by the instinct to run away. The juvenals 

 able to fly join the adults at such a time, in the general panic, over- 

 head, or they fly away some distance, usually to water. 



12. Herring Gulls which I have had in my possession since they 

 were in the nestling-down plumage were less mature in plumage at 

 two years than is indicated by Dwight for birds of that age. It is 

 my judgment that Herring Gulls rarely breed before they are three 

 years old. All of the breeding Herring Gulls which I have seen 

 were adults, so far as I could determine. 



13. It has been my experience that the young are at least two 

 months old before they begin to fly well. 



14. I have given especial attention to the voice of the Herring 



