The Great Black-Backed Gull 53 



mile. Frequently when flying it emits also a loud ratter hoarse cackle, having 

 affinity in sound, although not analogous in nature, to a human laugh. All the 

 larger Gulls are in one sense laughter-loving birds ; but if we take note of the 

 occasions when their cachinnations are edited, we discover that so far from being 

 the expressions of unusual mirth, they are employed to express anxiety, alarm, 

 anger and revenge. Its flight is strong, ordinarily sedate, less wavering and 

 buoyant than that of smaller species, but graceful, effective, and even majestic. 

 There, running a few steps and flapping its long wings, it springs into the air, 

 wheels to either side, ascends, and on outspread and beautifully- curved pinions, 

 hies away to some distant place. In advancing against a strong breeze, it some- 

 times proceeds straight forward, then shoots away in an oblique direction, now 

 descends in a long curve so as almost to touch the water, then mounts on high. 

 When it wheels about, and sweeps down the wind, its progress is extremely 

 rapid. It walks with ease, using short steps, runs with considerable speed, and 

 like the other Gulls, pats the sands or mud on the edge of the water with its 

 feet. It generally rests standing on one foot, with its head drawn in ; but in a 

 dry place it often reposes by laying itself down. Its food consists of small fishes 

 cast on the shore, of Crustacea, shell-fish, echini, and marine worms. In winter 

 it frequents the hills and moors in search of carrion, and in summer and autumn 

 often preys upon the young of various sea-birds. I have seen it eating the flesh 

 of a stranded whale along with the Raven, and carrion on the hills along with 

 that bird and the Bagle. Sometimes, but not often, it searches the ploughed 

 fields for worms." 



In Iceland this Gull has, according to Mr. Pearson, the reputation of being 

 more destructive to young lambs than even the Ravens. 



" In the Highlands," writes Mr. Booth, " the Great Black-backed Gull causes 

 considerable loss to many of the small sheep farmers and crofters, who are unable 

 to give the necessary care and protection to the few animals they possess. A 

 weakly ewe is no sooner discovered than she is set upon, and after being either 

 forced into some crevice among the rocks, or slowly butchered by thrusts from 

 their powerful bills, the lamb next falls an easy victim. . . . [Of such facts] during 

 the last few years several instances have come under my observation . . . The young 

 of Grouse and many other birds breeding on the moors are also greedily devoured 

 by these robbers, and no exposed egg is safe if once it has attracted their notice. 

 . . . Those that breed along the sea-cliffs seldom make foraging excursions inland, 

 their prey being gathered for the most part along the shore or out at sea; in 

 some instances the nests of their neighbours are also plundered. Though their 

 plumage is pure and spotless as the driven snow, these voracious birds are decidedly 



