COMMON GULL. 
135 
.VA 7 A TORES. 
LAUTDJF.. 
PLATE CCCIV 
COMMON GULL. 
LARUS CANUS. 
The present species is so well known to every one who 
has seen the ocean that we wish only to remark that it is 
more numerous in some parts of the British coast than in 
others, according to the more or less favourable state of the 
locality. 
The geographical distribution of this bird is very great; 
during the summer months it extends as far as the Arctic 
Regions of Europe, Asia, and America ; and on the approach 
of winter, it migrates to the south, spreading its numbers 
along the coast of a large portion of the temperate parts of 
the globe. 
The locality preferred by the Common Gull is the sea¬ 
shore, where the bottom is sandy or shingly, and the water 
consequently clear; under certain circumstances this Gull is 
met with by the river side, or on the borders of lakes, 
and other inland waters; but as soon as the rising of 
the water, or the occurrence of heavy rain lessens its trans- 
