2O2 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



fond of fishing close inshore, and often ascend our 

 rivers up to and even beyond tidal limits. They 

 also show a decided preference for resting upon 

 the sea rather than upon the shore. These birds 

 are often remarkably tame, especially when flying 

 about singly. We have seen it perch upon the 

 coping of the Bath Saloons in Torquay and allow 

 people to pass it within arm's-length, and dash 

 down to the water if a piece of bread or a biscuit 

 were thrown in. The Common Gull is another 

 well-known and numerous winter visitor, residing 

 with us from the end of August until the following 

 April. Of course, it never remains to breed in 

 Devonshire; indeed there are no known nesting 

 places of this Gull in England, which is rather a 

 remarkable fact, seeing that it breeds in Ireland. 

 This bird may be met with on most parts of the 

 coast between Plymouth and Exmouth, but shows 

 a decided preference for estuaries and bays. 



The Herring Gull and the three last-named 

 species may often be seen mingled in large flocks 

 round the shores of Tor Bay during the winter 

 months. Gulls are sometimes exceptionally numer- 

 ous here after the heavy easterly gales that 

 from time to time beat in from the Channel 



