THE GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 381 



spot to which his shot was directed : * occasionally, too, they, 

 falcon-like, strike down birds out of a Hock. Bell, an observant 

 shooter, once saw a gull of this species strike a wigeon from a 

 flock to the water, bear down upon and make the bird its prey. 

 AVigeou show great alarm when this species or the herring-gull 

 comes flying towards them, and a whole flock will take wing 

 in consequence. Thus are fowlers often foiled of getting 

 shots when " making up" to those birds. The diving-ducks, not 

 so timid as the wigeon, and naturally taking refuge beneath the 

 surface, are less alarmed at their presence. All shooters detest 

 these gulls for depriving them of shots. t The two species 

 regularly frequent a portion of the beach near Belfast, called the 

 Long Strand, for the purpose of feeding on the carcases of horses, 

 of which it is always more or less redolent, and when so engaged 

 have both been killed at the same shot. J Dead pigs and offal of all 

 kinds afford them a pleasing variety of viands. Such attractions 

 may account for the more than usual numbers of L. marimis in 

 this bay. The manner of feeding adopted by these and other gulls 

 should be mentioned. Instead of remaining perched on a carcase 

 like an eagle or falcon, and tearing the flesh upwards, the gulls 

 lay hold of a piece, which, if it does not at once yield to their 



* Daniel was aware of this ; in his ' Rural Sports ' it is remarked that " the large 

 black and white gulls arc most expert in immediately descrying the wounded birds, 

 and are so determinedly ravenous that iu a very few minutes they will devour all the 

 fleshy parts, such as the breast, &c., of a wild-fowl, although the pmiter may be using 

 all his expedition to prevent them" (vol. iii. p. 283). 



t In like manner we are told that " to the seal this bird [Z. marinus] is of essen- 

 tial service. It is the custom of these animals to lie upon the rocks for hours in 

 succession, and so well acquainted are the natives with their haimts that they raise 

 small bulwarks to conceal their approach. This gull, howevei', frequently frustrates 

 all these precautions by sounding the note of alarm, thereby infonning the seal that 

 danger is close at hand, and if the latter is not disposed to avail himself of this 

 friendly intimation, they will frequently strike them on the head with their feet : 

 when the seal retires into the water all further care on their part ceases, as they con- 

 sider him then in a situation to protect himself; but should he appear again within 

 gunshot of the place he has left, the gull wiU dart down at him, and frequently splash 

 the water in his face, as if to threaten him for his temerity." — Dunn's ' Omit. Guide 

 to Orkney and Shetland,' p. 111. 



\ The adult L. marinus is difficult of access to shooters, but I have, when riding 

 on the sands, approached them so nearly as to see plainly the yellow spot on the bill : 

 they often disgorge before taking wing, and sometimes even when not alanned. 

 Immature birds not unfrcqucutly come flying within range of gnn,shot. 



