122 FAMILIAR JflLfJ BIRDS. 



capable of very considerable extension, as these birds fly 

 many miles whilst in pnrsuit of their food. This they t_ake 

 in^an intrenious manner, almost settling upon the water in 

 order to secure it. 



When restinj^ after a lons^ flight, or under any other 

 circumstances, they will sleej) upon the water. Whilst 

 swimminj:^ they seem to place ordinary waves and breakers 

 at deflance, and thong'h seemingly unconcerned, manage 

 at such times to ride or fly over them; 



The Common (Jull frecpients the whole of the coast 

 of the Britisli^ Isles, and may be found, together with the 

 other Gulls, upon the coast of Cornwall, around Portland 

 Bill, Beachy_}Iead, and the othei;^ cliffs of the south coast, 

 off Mersey Island, in Essex, around the east coast to the 

 " Bass " Rock, along the shores of Pentland, and, indeed, 

 more or less throughout the coasts. 



But these Gulls, unlike many of their tribe,will also be 

 found inland. They will even follow the plough, in quest of 

 the worms and grubs turned uj) l)y it. They will also follow 

 the course of rivers for many miles. Sometimes a flock of 

 them may be seen in meadows or grass lands after the 

 manner of rooks, the rear ones flying over the rest of the 

 flock as the ground becomes thoroughly searched, until they 

 work from one end (tf the Held to the other. Their beau- 

 ■ tiful grey and white j)luniage at such times forms a re- 

 markable contrast to the green grass, and is altogether an 

 interesting and beautiful sight. 



These l)irds are gregarious, living generally in such 

 localities as afford convenient feeding-grounds and nesting- 

 places. These latter, however, are very erratic, as they are 

 sometimes situated in chalk and other cliffs or rocks, and 

 again ujxm flat marshy grounds. The nest is built chiefly 



