86 tiORSET GULLERIES. 



ponds, and the numbers reported are very variable, the 

 probable explanation being that the birds, as has already 

 been said, shift their stations a great deal from both 

 natural and unnatural causes. Dr. Haines of Winfrith has 

 lately sent me very interesting accounts of the Morclen 

 colonies, and these, if left alone, will probably flourish. 



So much for the main colonies; but other little settlements 

 have from time to time occurred. Thus a few pairs have 

 occasionally bred on the Chesil Beach, and I have seen eggs 

 taken there about 1910. Many birds are also seen about 

 Lodmoor, near Wey mouth, through the summer; and, if none 

 have as yet bred there, they may very possibly do so in the 

 near future, as the spot is suitable. Mr. Parkinson Curtis also 

 informs me that a few have sometimes bred on Brownsea 

 Island in Poole Harbour; and elsewhere in the same district 

 pairs are met with nesting away from the main colonies. A 

 colony has also existed on Parley Common, east of Wimborne, 

 starting, it seems, about the year 1900, and at times being of 

 considerable size; but though the birds have certainly nested 

 on the Hants side of the Common, I have never been able to 

 prove that they were breeding on the Dorset side, the 

 evidence being somewhat conflicting. 



And so this sketch of Dorset Gulleries must end. A visit in 

 summer, whether to the Herring Gulls on the cliffs or the 

 Black-heads on the heath and marsh, is always a source of 

 great pleasure to the bird lover. The Black-heads are the 

 earlier to start laying, April being the time, if they are not 

 molested; while, though some Herring Gulls lay quite at the 

 end of the month, May is the normal time. The usual clutch 

 of eggs for each species is three, and the habits and cries of 

 each species have their own charms, and add much to the 

 attraction of the sea cliffs, the swampy heath-pools and the 

 marshes of our beautiful county. 



