BIRDS NESTING IN LONDON 147 



this change as having commenced at the time 

 of the great frost of the winter of 1895.* It is 

 to be noted, however, that a German observer, 

 Walters, records that some of this species, to- 

 gether with common gulls, frequented the River 

 Spree at Berlin in the winter of 1879-80, re- 

 maining there until the middle of the following 

 April. This is evidently mentioned as a new 

 departure ; and it would be interesting to know 

 whether this visitation has become permanent. 



An increasing tendency has recently been 

 observed on the part of gulls to feed on grain, 

 several instances having been recorded to this 

 effect, especially from the Lothians, where they 

 have been found to be acquiring the habit of 

 attacking the ripe grain in the stooks, which 

 seems entirely at variance with their natural 

 and accustomed habits. In course of time we 

 shall be able to see whether this change is an 

 increasing one, as is, indeed, very probable ; 

 for such divagations of habit appear often to be 

 infectious. 



Much has been written as to the rook, whether 

 this bird is to be considered a benefactor to the 

 farming interests, or whether its depredations 

 outweigh the good it does by the destruction of 

 noxious grubs and insects. I would suggest 



1 Memories of the Months, 5th series. 



