GULLS AND TERNS. 25 



before taking flight, and that when alighting they 

 frequently keep their long wings unfolded and erect 

 for a moment or two before finally closing them. 

 Great numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 

 other species collect in Tor Bay during the herring 

 and sprat seasons, and at these times they will wait 

 and watch about the harbours and quays in fluttering 

 hosts for the odd fish and offal. The note of 

 this Gull very closely resembles that of the 

 Herring Gull, so closely, in fact, that no symbol 

 can denote the difference. It may be syllabled as 

 kli-ou-kli-ou, and during the breeding season is 

 very persistently uttered. Owing to its relatively 

 longer wings, this Gull looks more graceful in the 

 air than its larger and heavier congener : its flight 

 is remarkably easy and buoyant, and on occasion 

 rapid. 



The usual breeding places of the Lesser Black- 

 backed Gull are low rocky islands these larger 

 Gulls always prefer an island, covered with coarse 

 marine grass, sea campion, and the like but in some 

 localities a rock stack, an island in an inland lake, 

 on grassy downs, in mosses, and flows. This Gull 

 usually breeds in colonies, and some of these are 

 very large. One of the most extensive, within the 

 present writer's experience, is situated on the Farne 

 Islands. The entire group of islands may be re- 

 garded as one vast colony of Lesser Black-backed 

 Gulls, if we except a few of the outlying rocks, 

 where the Cormorants breed. It is more than 



