54 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



covers the head in summer ; it is common to all parts of 

 our coasts during the colder months of the year, but as 

 soon as the spring- advances it resorts to the flat marshy 

 places for the purpose of hatching its young, the birds 

 returning to the same localities year after year with un- 

 deviating regularity. 



Certain parts of Kent and Essex near the mouth of the 

 Thames are particularly noted for these Gulls, and another 

 remarkable breeding-place is Scoulton Mere, in Norfolk. 

 At this last-mentioned spot there is a large boggy island 

 where these birds resort in large numbers, and of it it is 

 said that they have bred there regularly for upwards of 

 300 years. 



The Black-headed Gulls begin to congregate in February 

 and March ; the eggs are laid in May ; these are usually 

 three in number, but vary very much in size and colour. 

 The general length is two inches ; they are of a yellowish- 

 greeny brown, with spots of two shades of dark brown. 

 So much do the eggs vary, however, that they are not 

 unfrequently found much smaller than the dimensions 

 above quoted, of a pale blue colour, and without spots of 

 any kind. 



The nests are built entirely of the tops of sedge or reeds ; 

 they are loosely put together, and are made in the rushes 

 and coarse grass of the marshes. If the first eggs are 

 interfered with the bird will lay a second, and even a third 

 lot, but the eggs that are subsequently produced are 

 generally much smaller than the first. 



As soon as the young birds are hatched they creep 

 about the reeds until they can fly, and if alarmed take to 

 the water at once. The parents exhibit great solicitude 

 for their progeny, and endeavour by their screams and 



