LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL 199 
fish-market and salted fish is sent away all over 
Egypt, the offal from the gutted fish is simply 
thrown out on to the shore, and work as hard as the 
Gulls do, they cannot clear all away that is daily 
added to this pestilential heap. Wherever Gulls 
come into a scene they add a sort of lightness and 
brightness to it. This is often felt at sea, where, 
after days and days of dreary water, at last some 
Gulls appear and give the needed brightening touch, 
and wherever they are seen their white wings 
make a charming point of contrast. Those who 
know London know what a boon they are to the 
leaden Thames, and even in sunny Egypt they are 
a welcome addition to river scenery. 
THE BLACK-HEADED GULL 
Larus ridibundus 
General plumage white below, wings a delicate lavender 
grey, the large flight-feathers black and white at their tips ; 
head and throat in breeding dress, a dark brown, in winter 
white; legs and beak red; eyes brown. Length, 15 inches. 
Tuis ought to be called the Brown-headed Gull, as 
the colour is never black. In winter the whole 
head is practically white, and it is in that plumage 
that most visitors to Egypt will alone see it. 
