4 9 



COMMON GULL. 



LARUS CANUS, Linn. 



Larus canus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 224 (1766) ; Naum. x. p. 301 ; 

 Macg. v. p. 575; Heioitson, ii. p. 495; Yarr. ed. 4, iii. 

 p. 613; Dresser, viii. p. 381. 



Gu'eland cendre, French; Sturm-Move, German; Gabina 

 de mar, Spanish. 



Although this species is abundant on almost all 

 parts of our coasts in autumn and winter, and very 

 frequently to be met with at those seasons far inland, 

 the word "common" can only be applied to it in 

 a comparative sense as regards England, as modern 

 authors seem to agree in stating that it is not now 

 known to breed in any part of the southern kingdom. 

 From my own experience on our south coast during 

 the early summer months I am inclined to consider 

 this Gull as the least frequently seen of our common 

 Larida3, for the very obvious reason that its breeding- 

 haunts in our Islands are confined to the north of 

 Scotland and a few localities in Ireland. In August, 

 however, old and young birds of this species flock to all 

 the low-lying districts of the English coast, where they 

 remain throughout the winter, and occasionally make 



