202 BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 



such as the crane fly, also amongst the autumnal 

 swarms of winged ants*. 



They not unfrequently perch on gates and rails. 



The Pewit-Gull is an unfailing weather prophet, 

 "When they soar high and fly round in circles, it is a 

 certain sign of wind and rain within four-and -twenty 

 hours. I hardly ever knew this indication fail. 



259. LARUS TRIDACTYLUS, Linnseus. Kittiwake Gull. 



From time immemorial, this beautiful and chastely 

 coloured Gull has nested on the magnificent coast 

 of Flamborough, at that part of the Headland known 

 as the Speeton Cliffs. 



They arrive in the neighbourhood of the rocks 

 early in the year, commencing nesting towards the 

 end of May or beginning of June the birds of the 

 preceding summer, in the second and third year's 

 plumage, remaining during this period out at sea, 

 following the shoals of fish, and seldom approaching 

 the Headland or consorting with the adults. From 

 the middle to the end of August the adults, along 

 with their young, assemble in large flocks and move 

 up the coast southward. Like the preceding species, 

 however, many are still found along our eastern sea- 

 board, and in every part of the North Sea during 

 the winter. 



* See ' Zoologist' for 1865, p. 9802, and 1869, a. s. p. 1905. 



