LESSEE BLACK-BACKED GULL 431 



districts is distinctly migratory in others. On the Dublin 

 coast it is very uncommon between November and February, 

 and for many seasons I have not seen more than a few 

 stragglers remain throughout the winter. 



The habits of this and the preceding species are much 

 alike, but the Lesser Black-backed Gull is not so gregarious 

 nor so purely maritime. Thus both may be noted follow- 

 ing up sprats on the open sea, seeking the shelter of 

 bays and harbours, visiting tidal rivers in search of offal, 

 or foraging on rocky and flat portions of the coast. But, 

 in addition, the Lesser Black-backed Gull will often wander 

 inland for many miles. I have seen it flying along canals 

 twenty miles from the sea, generally singly or in parties 

 of two or three. 



In March, numbers appear on city-rivers, and many of 

 them pass inland beyond the quays. Accustomed to the 

 more gentle-tinted plumes of the adult Herring-Gulls, which 

 are never absent from our rivers, wharves, and quays, our 

 attention is at once arrested by the strong contrast colours 

 of the Lesser Black-backed Gull. And as each succeeding 

 spring returns with its warm gleams of sunshine, we 

 welcome the arrival of this splendid bird. Unfortunately, 

 it is not a general favourite ; on moors and such localities 

 where game is preserved it has to be kept in constant 

 check by the keepers, as it is a marauder, and the safety 

 of eggs or nestlings cannot be assured as long as it lurks 

 about. 



Away from its breeding-haunts, this bird sometimes col- 

 lects into small parties ; in the months of July and August I 

 have seen as many as thirty together in various plumages, 

 walking over the ooze-flats of Dublin Bay. But though 

 not very gregarious it is decidedly sociable, and will alight 

 and feed among flocks of shore-birds, including the smaller 

 ' waders.' Like the Herring-Gull, it will follow steamers 

 in search of food, apparently all through the night. Thus 

 on August 1st, 1900, I travelled from Dublin to Glasgow. 

 The boat steamed off at about 6 p.m., and while still in the 

 Kiver Liffey some twenty Herring-Gulls and three Lesser 

 Black-backed Gulls followed astern. As we got out to sea 

 several Kittiwakes accompanied us. I was much interested 

 in the movements of one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls 

 in partial immature plumage, 1 and with a disabled leg which 



1 This Gull was apparently entering on its third year's winter- 

 plumage; the tail was white but broadly banded and spotted with 



