HERRING-GULL. 2G7 



HERRING-GULL. 



Larus argentatus. 



In the mature state this Gull is known on some parts of the 

 coast as the " Cob," and . in the immature as the " Grey 

 Cob " or " Wagell," and is perhaps the commonest of the 

 genus all through the summer. It feeds greatly on grain, 

 often doing considerable damage by digging up and devour- 

 ing the corn just as it is beginning to sprout, and is said in 

 very hard weather to bite out and devour pieces from the 

 turnip roots. It also eats fish, mice, small mussels, &c., 

 and is a great destroyer of eggs in its breeding-places, even 

 pillaging the nests of its congeners. It often goes far 

 inland for food, following the plough, or turning up the soil 

 of the newly- ploughed fields. 



The Herring-Gull is a dangerous pet, as it will murder 

 any of its companions it can master, and eat them too. 



The nests are generally formed of dry grass and sea-weed. 

 These birds are frequently seen to trample the sand, probably 

 to make the worms rise to the surface. Large flights often 

 follow the herring-boats in the Channel to pick up the 

 refuse fish and Crustacea, which are thrown overboard after 

 a haul, and on these occasions they are very noisy and 

 quarrelsome. Unless this is the reason, it is difficult to say 

 whence the name of Herring-Gull is derived, as that fish 

 does not seem to be an especial favourite with this Gull. 

 It is frequently seen to take up cockles, mussels, &c., 

 to great heights in the air, dropping them on the rocks to 

 break the shells. 



Having kept some of these birds for several years, I had 



