I0I4 



THE NATURE BOOK 



never regained it. These cases would 

 tend to strengthen the theory that the 

 bird does not monlt at these times, some- 

 liow the feathers merely undergoing a 

 change of colour. 



The bill and legs in the adult are bright 

 red, and these, with the brown hood, con- 

 trast strangely with the snowy white and 

 pearlv grey plumage. It is when follow- 

 ing the plough they are seen to advantage, 

 the freshly turned-up brown soil forming 

 an ideal background for showing up the 

 delicate shades of grey. 



The agriculturist is beginning to recog- 

 nise in this bird a useful ally, whereas 

 formerly, under the name of " seacrow," 

 they were shot when opportunity offered, 

 for it almost rivals the rook in devouring 

 innumerable wireworms and other noxious 

 grubs. Sad to say, this is not universal^ 

 recognised, as is proved by the fact that 

 during the nesting season numbers are 

 picked up dead on the nest or in the water 

 near by, having been shot whilst away 

 and reached home only to die. 



Although protected whilst at their 

 nesting haunts from the attacks of man, 

 they are not immune from tlie ravages of 



other foes. Numbers of eggs are sucked 

 and young killed and partly eaten by 

 brown rats — not water-voles — which, con- 

 trary to what one would think, enter the 

 water and swim to the nests for that 

 purpose. 



When in flight the Black-headed Gull 

 may be recognised, apart from its smaller 

 size, by the conspicuous white edge along 

 the front of the wings. 



The usual note of this Gull is a harsh 

 " Kak, kak," but when excited or alarmed 

 this becomes a loud scream. All day long 

 their nesting haimt is a scene of animated 

 life, and the noise created is indescribable. 

 As nightfall draws on the birds wbich have 

 been away foraging in the fields one by 

 one return to the guUery, each fresh arrival 

 being greeted with renewed clamour. At 

 length, as dusk falls, and even the very 

 last stragglers are safely home, they settle 

 down for the night ; then, in contrast to 

 the discordant screaming of the day, a 

 stillness, almost eerie in its intensity, 

 reigns unbroken, save for the peewit's 

 plaintive cry or moorhen's croak. And 

 so they rest until the eastern sky gives 

 promise of another day's awakening. 



YOUNG BLACK HEADED GULLS IN NEST. 



