COMMON GULL 



421 



COMMON GULL. Larus canus (Linnaeus). 



Coloured FigiLres. Gould, ' Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, pi. 

 60 ; Dresser, ' Birds of Europe,' vol. viii, pi. 600 ; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vi, pi. 22. 



This species, plentiful in autumn and winter on our 

 shores, is somewhat larger, stouter, and less elegant in build, 

 than the Black-headed Gull, from which it may also be dis- 

 tinguished easily by its bright green legs. 



In summer, when the dark hood of the smaller species 

 is assumed, the two birds are unmistakable. Yet in many 

 localities, the Black-headed Gull, owing to its abundance at 

 all times of the year, is popularly known as the ' Common 

 Gull.' 



FIG. 54. COMMON GULL. 



In their nuptial plumages the Kittiwake and the Com- 

 mon Gull are much alike. Both have pure white heads, 

 and rather dark ' french ' grey backs, but they differ in the 

 colour of the feet 1 and in the markings of the primaries. 



In spring most adult Common Gulls pass northward, 



1 It is well for a novice to observe accurately the great variety in the 

 colour of Gulls' feet. In the few species that are common along our 

 coasts we notice such contrasts as red, green, pink, yellow, and black. 



