LESSER BLACK-BACKED 



GULL 



Larus fuse us 



HE Lesser Black-backed Gull is a resident in the British 

 Islands, and breeds on most of the Scottish coasts and 

 outlying islands. In some parts of the country, during the 

 breeding season, colonies of these birds may be seen on 

 the islands of inland lochs, or even on the swampy parts 

 of the moors. In England, south of the Fames, it is 

 extremely local during the breeding season, and in Ireland 

 it breeds only in one or two favoured localities. 



It is not quite so large as the Herring Gull, and, like that bird, does not 

 assume its adult plumage until after the fourth Autumn moult. It is a 

 gregarious bird in winter, as well as during the nesting season, and collects 

 at that time in large flocks on the mud-banks in estuaries, where it may be 

 seen resting, with one leg tucked up and its head buried among its scapulars, 

 half asleep, or feeding on the small marine animals which lurk in the little 

 pools. They may often be seen in small parties sitting on the water and 

 rising lightly on the crests of the waves. 



The food of the Lesser Black-backed Gull consists principally of fish and 

 small marine creatures of all kinds, and it is fond of frequenting the harbours, 

 where it picks up all kinds of floating garbage. In spring-time they follow 

 the plough for the worms and grubs which are turned up, and devour great 

 quantities of the newly sown grain in sowing -time. When winter comes 

 round they wander far from their summer haunts, and follow the shoals of 

 fish round the coast, or make excursions up the larger rivers. The Lesser 

 Black-backed Gull is a sad robber, and destroys immense quantities of the 

 eggs, and even the young, of the smaller Gulls, Terns, and Ducks. At the 

 H 29 



