118 THE GULLS 



examinations, that the staple diet of the blackheaded-gull consists of earthworms and 

 insects. In only 14 was grain found, and fish in 9. As many as 42 % contained 

 those agricultural pests, the wire-worm and crane-fly larva. One bird was found to 

 have devoured 30 slugs. Mr. R. Newstead, in his report to the Board of Agriculture 

 in 1908, found after examination of 80 pellets and four birds, that insects formed 

 the great bulk of the food, and these, with only one exception, were either injurious 

 to man or did not affect his interests. Mr. Newstead draws special attention to 

 the destruction of crane-flies by this gull. On soaking one of their pellets in water 

 " it was found to contain the remains of about 400 crane-flies and 1600 of their 

 eggs ; the latter had evidently been taken while yet in the body of the parent. 

 Each pellet probably represented a single meal, and there can be but little doubt 

 that each bird would make at least ten meals daily of these insects. If this were 

 so, a single gull would be accountable for the enormous number of 4000 crane-flies 

 and their eggs per day, making an aggregate of 28,000 per week. As the gulls 

 flocked together in hundreds, the number of insects which they devoured may 

 better be imagined than described " (Food of some British Birds, 1908, p. 85). The 

 species also devours small crustaceans and molluscs. It appears only to take to 

 grain and fish when its favourite food runs short, and the former only when left 

 uncovered. No complaints appear to have been made by farmers who use the 

 drill. It will occasionally eat the eggs of its own species, and possibly of other 

 species. From the ascertained facts, it may be concluded that the blackheaded- 

 gull is highly beneficial to the agriculturist, and that the harm it does to fisheries 

 is small. The young are fed, doubtless by both parents, chiefly on insects and 

 worms. One young gull, which I disturbed, left behind for my inspection sixty 

 caterpillars and four beetles. Marine worms were disgorged at Walney by young 

 gulls persecuted by terns. It is stated that they are fed also with sand-eels 

 (British Birds, iii. 169). [F. B. K.] 



LITTLE-GULL \Lwrus minuius Pallas. French, mouette pygmee ; 

 German, Zwerg-Move ; Italian, gabbianello]. 



I. Description. The little-gull may at once be recognised by its small 

 size, the French grey colour of the primaries, and the dark lead-blue colour of the 

 under surface of the wing. There is a distinct seasonal change of livery, and the 

 sexes are alike. Length 11 in. [279-40 mm.]. The adult, in nuptial dress, has 

 the head and upper part of the neck black ; the mantle and wings French grey ; 



