86 COMMON GULL. 



rivers, but in the autumn, winter, and spring wander far 

 inland, to feed on ploughed and pasture lands, returning, 

 however, always to the coast for the night. 



It would appear that some migrate southwards, towards 

 the approach of winter, from the frozen regions. 



These birds, like the others, are readily kept in confinement, 

 and will live for years in a walled garden, where they are 

 very useful in devouring insects. One belonging to the Rev. 

 Dr. Thackeray, Provost of King's College, Cambridge, and 

 kept in the garden of the College, laid one or more eggs 

 for several seasons. They are quiet in their habits, and 

 associate with poultry. In the autumn, parties of them may 

 be seen in clear weather high aloft in the air, wheeling 

 about in circles; and this is said to be a sign of stormy 

 weather. 



They are admirably expert on the wing, and fly about 

 with great lightness and ease. 



They often pick up beans, wheat, and other grain sown 

 in the fields, as well as worms, larvae, and insects, which they 

 search for in the ploughed lands many miles inland. Their 

 food is also fish, as likewise Crustacea and mollusca, and, in 

 fact, anything eatable that floats on the surface. Tor this 

 kind of food they watch with a quick eye, and it is curious 

 to observe how such as are near the breakers will mount upon 

 the surface of the water, and run splashing towards the summit 

 of the wave to catch the object of their pursuit.' They are 

 voracious birds, and one has been known to swallow an eel 

 a foot long. 



The nest of this Gull, which is rather large, is only a slight 

 comminglement of grass, if placed on the turf, or a larger 

 assortment of this material and sea-weed, if built upon the 

 rock; precipitous places are used, as well as the lower ground, 

 and in one instance Sir William Jardine mentions his having 

 known several nests placed on the walls of an old ruin. Both 

 the sea-coasts and the shores of inland lakes and marshy 

 islands are resorted to for nidification. These birds appear 

 to keep aloof in their building as much as may be from 

 their congeners. Large numbers breed together in many cases, 

 and in others a few pairs, or even a single pair by themselves. 



The eggs, two or sometimes three in number, are of various 

 shades of colour light blue, yellowish white, pale yellow, green, 

 brown, and dark olive brown, spotted and blotted irregularly 

 with deeper brown, grey, and black. 



