THE COMMON GULL. 79 



for in the finest days of winter and spring they attend upon the plough, or search 

 the grass fields as assiduously as at an}' other time. Frequently they have no 

 companions of other species, but often they mingle with Tarrocks [Black-headed 

 Gulls], and sometimes with Herring Gulls. Should the country become covered 

 with snow they retreat to the shores ; but when the thaws have partially exposed 

 the ground they return. At this season they almost entirely desert the more 

 northern sterile parts of Scotland, advance southward, and are dispersed over the 

 whole country." It is occasionally also to be seen in the farmer's newly sown 

 corn fields, taking its reward for its vermin-killing by a moderate toll of grain. 

 The presence of this, and other species of Gulls, at a distance from the sea, is 

 supposed to betoken rough weather coming, or a storm passing not far off the 

 shore, scaring them inland for shelter. The old rhyme runs : 



" Sea-gull, Sea-gull 

 Sit on the saiitl, 

 It's never fair weather 

 When you come to land." 



Wind and stormy weather are supposed also to be portended when Gulls fly high 

 and circle like Rooks they are " seeking for wind." 



During the winter and autumn they congregate in great flocks on the coast, 

 also when disturbed they utter a harsh cry, which is a note of alarm not only to 

 their own kind but to other species of birds that are within hearing. They are 

 good tempered among themselves and have no piratical habits, but live at peace 

 with their neighbours. 



The Common Gull is less timid than many of the larger Gulls ; it repays 

 kindness or attention by confidence even in its wild state, and in captivity it 

 becomes very tame. Mr. Thompson states that one was induced to follow a steamer 

 from Liverpool to the Isle of Man, by bread thrown out at intervals to it, which 

 it invariably caught on the wing. 



The following interesting account of this bird breeding in captivity is from 

 " The Field " of July 8th, 1893. " In the autumn of 1891, a male bird was trapped 

 and placed in the back yard [of a fish-curer, in Peterhead, Scotland]. Next spring 

 a female Gull made its appearance, a nest was made in a corner, two eggs laid 

 and one young one hatched, which is now nearly as big as the parents, and 

 remains with them in the old quarters. Towards the winter the female disappeared, 

 but returned this spring, and the two again made a nest in the old place. Three 

 eggs were laid and three Gulls hatched in twentj'-eight days, each bird taking a 

 turn of sitting three hours at a time, day and night. The male bird got so tame 

 that it runs about among the workmen, but the female still shows the character- 



