THE HERRING GULL 255 



Great numbers of Herring Gulls breed at St. Kilda, but here 

 as elsewhere they are scattered up and down the cliffs, and 

 do not seem to have any special choice of habitation. A few 

 nests are made on the beetling rock- stacks, and many more 

 on the grassy spaces of the cliffs. The natives of St. Kilda 

 persecute this Gull with a deadly hatred. It is a great 

 robber of eggs, and levies wholesale tribute on the Fulmars' 

 nests. In some parts shepherds break the eggs of the 

 Herring Gull at every opportunity, and everywhere it 

 appears to be more or less disliked, owing to its various 

 depredations. 



The eggs of the Herring Gull are two or three in number, 

 and rather larger than those of the Lesser Black -backed 

 Gull. They vary from pale bluish-green to olive-brown and 

 yellowish -brown, in ground colour, somewhat sparingly 

 spotted with dark brown and gray. Only one brood is reared 

 in the season, and as soon as the young can fly they appear 

 to be deserted by their parents, and flock by themselves 

 during the several years that elapse before they obtain their 

 complete dress of maturity. 



During the winter months the Herring Gull wanders far 

 and wide, and often visits inland waters. Flocks of birds 

 frequent almost every little fishing village along the coast, 

 and they may often be met with far at sea. These birds 

 may often be seen flying across country high in air from one 

 coast to another. On these extended flights the birds are 

 frequently attracted by lakes and large sheets of fresh water, 

 which they sometimes linger near for days. A broad stubble 

 or newly -ploughed or manured field will also tempt this 

 Gull from the air in its winter wanderings. 



