CII. 

 LARUS RIDIBUNDUS. (Linn.) 



Black-headed Gull. 



Differing in its habits from the rest of the genus, the 

 Black-headed Gull leaves the sea-shore on the approach of 

 the summer season, and repairs inland to breed ; frequenting 

 the margins of marshy grounds, or whitening with its num- 

 bers the shores of some of the smaller lakes and ponds. 



The most numerous colony which I have seen occupy a 

 piece of water upon the estate of A. Askew, Esq. at Pallins- 

 bura, in Northumberland, adding an unceasing and ever 

 moving interest to the grounds which nothing else could give, 

 their pure and spotless colours contrasting finely with the 

 suiTOunding scenery. Here meeting with protection, they 

 have become exceedingly numerous, and though within a few 

 yards of the high road are undisturbed by its vicinity. In 

 most of their breeding places they are less fortunate, and are 

 plundered of their eggs without mercy, in consequence of 

 their being very good to eat, and without that fishy taste 

 which the eggs of other sea birds have, more or less ; the 

 food of the Black-headed Gull being at this time of the year 

 chiefly confined to worms, slugs, &c. When thus robbed of 

 their eggs they are induced to lay two or three times ; the 

 eggs, as Mr. Salmon informs nje, decreasing each time in size. 

 Of these second and third layings he has kindly sent me 

 specimens, some of which are one third less than the usual 

 and natural size, the consequence of a forced and unnatural 

 influence upon those strong instinctive feelings and desires 

 of propagating their species, which the Creator has implanted 

 in the animal world. 



