THE GULLS. 513 



When it flies high, the shoal is known to follow the deeps ; 

 and when low, on the contrary, it is certain that the fish 

 are near to the surface. 



The Great Black-backed Gull (Hafs-Trut, or Sea-Trut, 

 Sw. ; L. marinus, Linn.) was pretty common, as well with 

 us as in the neighbouring Skargard. It is also pretty 

 common on both coasts of the peninsula, nearly as high up, 

 I believe, as the North Cape. It is pretty common in Den- 

 mark during the winter time, and some breed off the western 

 coast of Jutland. 



By the fishermen, this bird was more generally known 

 under the name of Prost, or Parson, possibly from its lugu- 

 brious cry, and from its plumage somewhat resembling the 

 attire of a clergyman when in full canonicals. 



It bred as well in the Wenern as on the coast, generally on 

 the more remote and recluse islands, and always in single 

 pairs, never in colonies. The female lays from two to three 

 eggs (as large as those of a goose), which in most instances 

 are of a grey-green or olive- green colour, marked with brown- 

 grey or ash-grey spots. It breeds early ; and during incuba- 

 tion, which lasts four weeks, male and female are said to sit 

 alternately on the eggs. 



The Glaucous Gull (Stor Hvit-Trut, or Great White- 

 Trut, Sw. ; L. glaucus, Briinn.) was rare in our Skargard ; 

 but it is common, according to M. Malm, on the shores of 

 the Icy Sea. "It nests," he says, " on Reno, an island in 

 Eastern Finmark, in company with thousands of other sea- 

 birds ; and after the young are fledged, countless flocks of 

 this species of gull are seen collected together." According 

 to Kjserbolling, it has occasionally been shot in the Sound 

 and other parts of Denmark. 



VOL. II. L L 



