6 COWARD, Change in Habits of the Black-headed Gull. 



Gull is as much due to its ability to change habits as that 

 the changed habits are due to increase. Psychologically 

 the Black-head is an adaptive bird ; consequently it suc- 

 ceeds in the struggle and overcomes difficulties which 

 would spell disaster for a less go-ahead species. It is 

 bound by no hard and fast limits in the matter of food ; 

 the failure of any particular supply does not handicap it. 

 It can adjust its habits to marine or inland conditions. 

 It is a winner in life's race as a direct consequence ; thus 

 its numbers increase. 



Prior to Wild Bird Protection two serious dangers 

 threatened the welfare of the species ; its eggs were 

 systematically robbed, and its young, when just able to fly 

 and still lacking experience, were ruthlessly slaughtered 

 by gunners. Egg-collecting and casual shooting were 

 checked by legislation, and at once the bird increased. 

 Individual competition was overcome by the bird's natural 

 aptitude ; it altered its habits so as to minimise the evils 

 of congestion. This change from a variable feeding time 

 to a constant diurnal habit, not as regards the species as 

 a whole but only so far as it favours individuals, is perhaps 

 the most extraordinary divergence from hereditary habits 

 in the life history of this progressive bird. 



