

THE COMMON GULL. 



Larus canus. 



THOUGH termed the " Com- 

 mon " Gull, this species is 

 not more common than the 

 Herring 1 and Blackbeaded 

 Gulls, and may have been by 

 many associated with those 

 birds in the common appella- 

 tion " Gull." 



Gulls are amongst the 

 prettiest adjuncts to a sea-side 

 watering-place ; yet many 

 thoughtless visitors will make 

 so-called sport in the wilful 

 shooting of these handsome 



O 



birds. But to see them fly- 

 ing around, or skimming the 

 water whilst in pursuit of 

 food, uttering their squealing 

 cry to one another meanwhile, 

 with possibly a shoal of fish 

 beneath and a lovely sky 

 above, is one of the most in- 

 teresting sights to be seen 

 at the " sea-side." 



Their flight is heavy, yet 



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