Dorset (Bulleries. 



By the Rev. F. L. BLATHWAYT, M.A., M.B.O.U. 



(Read 1st February, 1921}. 



the present time it is probable that only two 

 species of gull breed in Dorset, the Herring Gull 

 and the Black-headed Gull. It is unlikely that 

 the great Black- backed Gull was ever a regular 

 breeder on the sea cliffs of the county, though a few 

 somewhat doubtful records exist, and the same may be said 

 of the Lesser Black- backed Gull, though as regards the latter 

 species it is just possible that a very few pairs may breed, as 

 examples are frequently seen consorting with the nesting 

 Herring Gulls throughout the breeding season. 



It is not proposed to say very much in this paper about the 

 Herring Gull colonies, as these would rather fall into an 

 account of the birds breeding on the Dorset cliffs; but as the 

 paper is headed u Dorset Gulleries" it would not be right to 

 omit mention of the colonies of these splendid sea-birds. 



The Herring Gull breeds in large numbers on the Dorset 

 sea cliffs, apparently preferring the chalk and Purbeck 

 formations. Starting from the East we find the first colony on 

 the high chalk cliffs where Ballard Down fronts the sea, some 



