BLACK-HEADED GULL. 553 



Charles Anderson, Esq., sent me notice of another breed- 

 ing-place in Lincolnshire, frequented annually by many 

 hundreds of this species. This is at Twigmoor, near Brigg 

 an estate belonging to Sir John Nelthorpe, of Scawby. 

 It consists chiefly of warren ground, partly covered with 

 heather, dwarf shrubs, and birch trees. In the centre of 

 this is a piece of water of about eighteen acres, the sides 

 of which are green swamps, so spungy, that it is impossible 

 to walk upon them. In these swamps the Black-headed 

 Gulls breed in great quantities, assembling in April, laying 

 their eggs among the rushes in May, and hatching in June. 

 The young, till they are able to fly, creep about among the 

 reeds, or launch out into the open water in fleets if a dog 

 is sent into the swamp to disturb them ; the old birds 

 screaming, and almost darting in the face of any one who 

 approaches and dwells upon the haunts of their young. 

 There are also one or two other breeding-places on an 

 adjoining estate at Manton. As soon as the young can 

 fly they are seen scattered about the neighbourhood, feed- 

 ing in moist meadows, but soon leave the place and return 

 no more till the following spring. 



In Northumberland, Mr. Selby says, these Gulls have 

 for many years past enlivened the precincts of a large pond 

 at Pallinsburn, the seat of A. Askew, Esq. from whence 

 flocks (in consequence of the increase produced by the pro- 

 tection afforded during the breeding- season) have at dif- 

 ferent times detached themselves to such other situations 

 in the neighbourhood as possessed suitable facilities for re- 

 production. The note of this Gull is a hoarse cackle, 

 which, from its effect when quickly repeated, has been 

 compared to a laugh, and has given rise to one of its 

 specific appellations. Its flight is easy and buoyant. Its 

 food, small fishes, insects, and worms. The Rev. Richard 



