4960 THE ZooLoGist—JuUNE, 1876. 
we have still much to learn respecting the change of plumage in the gulls, 
though some light has been thrown on it of late. It is much to be desired 
that ornithologists would devote their attention to the study of one group 
at a time: that of the Raptores would take years, to say nothing of the 
Hirundines, in the partial and general migration of which and other species 
we are told, by Prof. Newton, little progress has been made of late years. 
A pair of common gulls made a nest in a neighbouring garden; it was 
composed of sticks and stalks, on which the female sat, but no eggs were 
laid. One of the birds having absented itself was found at its former 
owner’s.—Henry Hadfield ; April 5, 1876. 
Ivory Gull, &c,.— In the ‘ Zoologist’ for November last (S. S. 4689) 
I recorded the occurrence of an adult ivory gull in Filey Bay during the 
month of August. Not long ago I was speaking about it to Mr. J. H. 
Gumey, jun., who told me that he knew of more than one instance in 
which albinos of other species had been taken for the true ivory gull. 
When at Filey, on the 3rd instant, I made further inquiries of Mr. Brown, 
and was shown a photograph of the specimen, taken after it was mounted, 
which leaves no doubt whatever in my mind as to the species. When 
recently shot; Mr. Brown tells me, there was a beautiful orange-coloured 
blush on the plumage. It is now in the possession of the gentleman who 
shot it—Mr. T. M. Edwards, J, Arboretum Square, Derby. Mr. Brown 
showed me what he and I both believe to be an adult male laughing gull 
(Larus atricilla), in full breeding dress. It was shot near Filey (about three 
miles inland) during the very rough weather which occurred about the 
middle of March. It exactly corresponds with the figure of the laughing 
gull in Mr. Morris’s ‘ British Birds,’ having a head of a dull blue-black— 
just the colour of the back of a Larus marinus. The bill and tarsi had 
been painted; the latter struck me as being very long. Only one similar 
specimen has ever passed through Mr. Brown’s hands, and he knows the 
familiar brownheaded gull in every stage of plumage. From Filey I walked 
on to Scarborough for the purpose of observing the herring gulls at their 
breeding-places, and was much pleased at seeing a considerable number of 
these beautiful birds. Altogether I should say there are from forty-five to 
fifty pairs: I was able to count above sixty individuals resting on the water 
at one time. It is said that the lesser blackback breeds here also, but I did 
not notice a single one. The herring gulls were by no means very shy, so 
I had a good opportunity of watching them; one noble fellow, especially, 
with a head and neck like newly-fallen snow, kept passing me within easy 
gunshot. Their cry, though perhaps unmusical in itself, seems to be in 
perfect harmony with the surrounding scenery. I wish those whose efforts 
procured the passing of the Sea Birds Act could have been there to see the 
results of their labours.—Julian G. Tuck; April 7, 1876. 
eee ——— 
