Birds. 577 



the red-throated diver was in winter plumage : both of them are now in my collection. 

 I have also purchased a female of the pink-footed goose, shot at Patriugton, in Hol- 

 derness, on the 14th of February, 1844. — Robert John Bell ; Mickleover House, near 

 Derby, April, 1844. 



Note on the Black-headed Gull. I beg to make a few remarks upon Mr. Jerdon's 

 statements respecting the habits of the black-headed gull (Zool. 245), which I think 

 are correct and good. The black-headed gulls from March to July are my daily com- 

 panions, and therefore I have many opportunities of observing their habits. These 

 birds are the frequent attendants on the ploughman throughout the whole of this dis- 

 trict, and as they pick up worms and grubs, and seem to have no relish for vegetable 

 productions, they are great favourites with the farmers. But their unfailing sup- 

 port is met with on our marshes and extensive flat sands, where, on the retiring tide, 

 they find an abundant supply of Crustacea and small fishes. Here indeed many of 

 them are engaged during the whole day, for a considerable portion of the year, in 

 coursing for food, as described by Mr. Jerdon. At one time " skimming the surface 

 of the water," at another hovering over their prey like a kestril over a mouse, and then, 

 like the tern, dashing into the water and emerging again instantly, either swallow the 

 prize or carry it away to their expecting young. But the passage in Mr. Jerdon's 

 notes more interesting to me than any other, is where he says (at p. 246) " a peculia- 

 rity in its habits which I have not seen noticed is, that it is very crepuscular." This 

 peculiarity I myself have noticed for many years, and T can certify that it is not an 

 accidental, but an almost invariable practice with the black-headed gull to indulge in 

 evening or even twilight excursions in search of food. The great object of this bird's 

 pursuit here in the evening, is a large moth, which, as twilight approaches, may be 

 seen floating over uncut meadows and tufts of grass in pasture lands, where the moth 

 conceals itself during the day. When these moths begin to arise in the evening from 

 the rank herbage in front of my house, I calculate on the immediate appearance of 

 a number of black-headed gulls, and am seldom disappointed. It is indeed a most 

 amusing and interesting sight to witness the elegant evolutions of these beautiful birds 

 when in pursuit of these large moths. Oftentimes brushing the surface of the ground 

 with their downy breasts, and generally capturing with facility the moth as it hovers at 

 an elevation of from one to two feet above the earth. Occasionally, however, the bird 

 misses its aim, and the moth, by the rapid motion of the gull, is struck to the ground. 

 The bird, however, nothing daunted, immediately, as Mr. Jerdon remarks, " rounds 

 to," hovers for a few seconds over the retreat of its fallen prey, and if it perceives 

 its victim imbedded in the grass, pounces upon it, or if disappointed, flies off in search 

 of another prize. I also beg to add, that I have repeatedly been witness to the black- 

 headed gulls quitting their extensive breeding grounds on our mosses in the evening 

 of a hot day in the month of June, and going forth in search of food which they evi- 

 dently expected would be met with towards the close of the day. The following state- 

 ment may serve to corroborate this fact. On the 15th of June, 1843, I was visiting a 

 friend who lives about eight or nine miles from the principal seat of the breeding- 

 ground of these birds. I left my friend's house about half-past 8, P.M., and had only 

 gone a short distance, when I was delighted to see my neighbours, the black-headed 

 gulls, coming as it were to meet me, in merry parties. In companies of about five, 

 eight and twelve, I first noticed them sallying forth in almost a direct line, as if on 

 their way to some distant feeding ground, and which I have little doubt was the case. 

 As evening advanced, I met in succession new flocks, and then had ocul xx proof of the 

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