380 . LARIDiE. 



L. rissa in its season, and rarely of L.fiiscus. Montagu remarks, 

 in his ' Ornithological Dictionary/ that " they never herd with 

 other gulls ;" and here certainly the others rather herd with them, 

 or alight where they see them stationed. Rarely, I have seen 

 them surrounded by gulls of other species, but these had doubt- 

 less been the latest comers. Wherever the L. marinus alights to 

 await the receding of the tide — and he generally selects a place 

 from which the flowing waters will not drive him — he remains, 

 regardless of prey, though the others may be busy feeding around 

 him. They are sure, too, to fly off to the exposed beach before 

 he leaves the station where he had so long remained, statue- 

 hke, in dignified composure. When grouped around or near him, 

 I have never known this bird molest any of his weaker brethren 

 of the Lancia. More than four adult individuals are seldom 

 seen on a stretch of coast of from two to three miles ; immature 

 birds generally appear near them on the gr'ound, and are more nu- 

 merous, but in flight do not accompany them. The most that have 

 come under my notice were observed on the 18th April, 1832, 

 when, within a mile and a half along the south-west of the bay, 

 several appeared scattered along the shore, and in one place about 

 fifteen were together in a small close flock ; outside of which a few 

 dotted the beach. The number and compact body — for even two 

 rarely stand very near each other — indicated their being on mi- 

 gration. They are generally quite silent when seen in the manner 

 described. Once, however, when on horseback and a mile distant 

 from them, I was attracted by the loud and hoarse cackle of a pair, 

 caused by a third individual making its appearance. It subse- 

 quently alighted beside them; when, as if in anger at their 

 demesne being encroached on, they took their departure, leaving 

 the stranger alone. Their call, continued on wing, was so loud 

 that it could certainly have been heard for fully three miles along 

 the level strand. 



These gulls not only commit great havoc on wounded birds of 

 all kinds, especially wigeon and other ducks, but sometimes bear 

 down upon and carry them off before the shooter can reach the 



