COMMON GULL 



SEA MEW WINTER MEW. 

 PLATE CCXXV. 



Larus canus, LINNAEUS. 



Larus hybernus t ...... GMELIN. 



Larus fuscus, ...... RAY. 



THE nest of this Gull, which breeds in various parts of 

 Scotland and Ireland, being only a winter visitant to 

 England, is rather large, and is made of grass, sea- weed, and 

 heather ; precipitous places, as well as the lower ground, are 

 used for its location ; in one instance Sir William Jardine 

 mentions his having known several nests placed on the wall 

 of an old ruin. Both the sea- coasts and the shores of inland 

 lakes and marshy islands are resorted to. 



These birds appear to keep aloof in their building as 

 much as may be from their congeners. In some instances 

 large numbers breed together, and in others a few pairs, 

 or even a single pair by themselves. 



The eggs, normally three in number, are of various 

 shades of colour, but generally olive brown, spotted or 

 streaked and blotted irregularly with deeper brown, grey, 

 and black. Pale blue, straw coloured, and light green varieties 

 are not uncommon. 



