COMMON GULL. 193 
COMMON GULL. 
Larus canus, Linn. 
Pl. XXXIIL, fig. 5. 
Geogr. distr.—Europe generally; northward to the North Cape of 
Scandinavia, being common in Russia and Finland; eastward 
throughout Siberia and southward to China; occurring also in Malta, 
Greece, and the coast of Asia Minor; also in Africa from Egypt west- 
ward to Algeria, the Canaries, and Madeira. In Great Britain more 
common in winter than in summer, but breeds in the Outer Hebrides 
and the Shetland Islands, and has been recorded as breeding in the 
south of England. 
Food.—Fish and Crustacea. 
Nest.—Formed of fuci, occasionally grass, bits of turf, ling, dry 
Sea-weed, and other vegetable substances. 
Position of nest—On drift left by the tide, on green turf, on 
tussocks on marshy ground, on the shores of lakes, or in old Crows’ 
nests on the top of fir trees; also on the face or summit of a precipitous 
it amongst sedgy grass, green samphire or ling, or even on the bare 
rock. 
Number of eggs.—3. 
Time of nidofication.—V-VI. 
The following observations are extracted from Mr. E. T. 
Booth’s ‘Rough Notes’ (Part VII.) :—‘“ Though Common 
Gulls are by no means so ready as many other species 
to attack any feathered stranger that ventures near their 
breeding-quarters, I witnessed an amusing scene at Loch 
Inver, in Sutherland, one evening in June, 1877. Several 
pairs of Gulls frequent the lonely rock-bound coast to the 
south-west of the loch during summer ; one nest, however, 
was placed just above the wash of the tide, but a short 
distance from the village. While watching the two old 
birds fishing along a sandy bay in the immediate vicinity 
of the low-lying ridge on which their young were located, 
I noticed a Long-eared Owl flap slowly towards the water. 
Evidently disturbed from its shelter in the pine woods 
before the accustomed hour, dazzled by the light, and 
apparently at a loss which way to turn, its uncertain and 
wavering flight speedily attracted attention. Instantly the 
male Gull, with loud screams, dashed after the intruder, 
and, buffeting the bewildered bird repeatedly, forced it out 
to sea; roused by the outcry, a fresh contingent of Gulls 
shortly arrived, and at once joined in the attack with the 
greatest fury. The Owl, after having been driven over 
the centre of the loch, at length rose high in the air, 
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