153 



After the boats have finished hauling the birds 

 are usually satisfied and rest in large bodies upon 

 the water for the remainder of the day. Is is by 

 no means uncommon to meet with a flock that 

 extends a mile or two in length. 



I have noticed that when any disease has 

 broken out and destroyed the fish on the fresh 

 water broads in the eastern counties the gulls 

 rapidly become aware of the fact and resort daily 

 in thousands to the spot, feeding greedily on the 

 decomposing remains that are floating round the 

 banks. 



The specimens in the case were obtained on 

 the Bass Rock in June, 1867. 



LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.- 



(IMMATURE). 



Case 218. 



The specimens in the present case represent 

 the bird in its various immature stages. 



They were shot at sea off the Norfolk coast in 

 the autumn of 1872. 



POMEEINE SKUA. 



Case 219. 



Though occasionally compelling the Kittiwake 

 to provide it with food this Skua more commonly 

 attacks the larger species of Gulls. 



Immature specimens may be observed in 

 numbers in the North Sea during autumn following 

 the large flocks of Lesser Black-Backs always in 

 attendance on the herring fleet. As winter 

 advances they work their way south and are 

 occasionally met with in the English Channel. 



I have at times seen a few fine old birds in the 

 early part of the autumn off the Scotch coast, but 

 the majority are without the long feathers in the 

 tail. 



