The Great Black -headed Gull 



The large size and black head are sufficient to dis- 

 tinguish this species when adult; young birds may be 

 recognised by the clear-cut dark band across the tail and by 

 the white margins to the outer webs of the secondaries. 

 Length of male 26 in. ; wing 19 in. The female is much 

 smaller. 



COMMON GULL 



Larus canus, Linnaeus 



This bird is by no means the commonest of our Gulls, 

 but may nevertheless be found in fair numbers along all our 

 coasts in winter. 



It does not breed in England, and in Ireland there are 

 comparatively few colonies ; but in Scotland, on the low islets 

 round the coast as well as on the lochs and tarns inland, it 

 is abundant in summer as well as in winter. 



It usually nests in small colonies of six or eight pairs on 

 some low-lying islet near the coast or on a lake, but it 

 avoids during the breeding season precipitous coasts and ex- 

 posed situations. The nest is placed on the ground and com- 

 posed of a few bits of grass, seaweed, and heather without any 

 attempt at concealment. The eggs, usually three in number, 

 are olive brown streaked and spotted with blackish ; like 

 most Gull's eggs, however, they vary considerably in colour. 

 In food and habits it closely resembles the Black-headed 

 Gull. Its ordinary note is a harsh cry, but during the nesting 

 season it tries, somewhat feebly, to imitate the well-known 

 call of the larger Gulls. 



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