Food. 
488 NATATORES. LARUS. GULL. 
the 22d day of June at a considerable distance from the 
nearest breeding-station, on their way to the coast or to other 
districts. During the breeding season, this Gull subsists up- 
on earth-worms, slugs, and winged aquatic insects, which 
latter it is frequently seen pursuing and catching in its flight 
along the course of any river or smaller stream. When on 
the coast, it feeds more upon small fish, crustaceee, &c., but 
even at this period is frequently observed in company with 
the Common Gull in fields adjoining the shore, and watch- 
ing the upturning of the land by the ploughs, where it 
greedily devours the larvee of the Cockchaffer, and other co- 
leopterous insects. The eggs of this bird are well-flavoured, 
having no fishy taste, and, when boiled hard, cannot easily 
be distinguished from those of the Lapwing, for which they 
are sometimes substituted. The young are also eaten, al- 
though not held in such estimation as we are told they for- 
merly were, when great numbers were annually taken and 
fattened for the table, and when the Gullery (or summer re- 
sort of this species) produced a revenue of from L.50 to 
L.80 per annum to the proprietor. These birds are very 
regular in their migratory movements (for such their depar- 
ture to and from the sea-coast may properly be termed), and 
I am informed by a gentleman upon whose property is a piece 
of water annually visited by a considerable colony, that their 
return in spring may almost be calculated upon to a day. 
In Northumberland they have for many years past enlivened 
the precincts of a large pond at Pallinsburn, the seat of A. 
AskEw, Esq., from whence flocks (in consequence of the in- 
crease produced by the protection afforded during the breed- 
ing season) have at different times detached themselves to 
such other situations in the neighbourhood as possessed suit- 
able facilities for reproduction. The note of the Black- 
headed Gull is a hoarse cackle, which, from its effect when 
quickly repeated, has been compared to a laugh, and has 
given rise to its specific appellation. Its fight is easy and 
buoyant, and when on wing it is readily distinguished from 
