THE BIRDS OF GREAT YARMOUTH. 295 



easterly gale blew a whole flock to the east coast. Over sixty 

 were killed in Norfolk, the majority adults (Norf. and Nor. Nat. 

 Soc. vol. iv. p. 410). A beautiful black-headed adult was shot 

 at Hickling, April 2nd, 1888 (Connop Catalogue). 



L. ridibmidus. Black-headed Gull. — C. This species breeds 

 plentifully in the Broad district, and is common at Yarmouth at 

 all times of the year, becoming numerous on the mud-flats and 

 at the harbour mouth in autumn. During severe weather flocks 

 are seen hunting for floating edibles on the river in the heart of 

 the town. Protracted frosts make them remarkably tame, when 

 they swarm on the town refuse-heaps, and are easily decoyed into 

 a net. A birdcatcher, in December, J 890, caught one hundred 

 and thirty-seven in three days with a clap-net on the North Denes. 

 Fifty-six were taken at one pull. The same bird-catcher captured 

 fifty-three out of a flock on Feb. 11th, 1895. On Nov. 27th, 

 1895, hundreds were attracted to a field at Browston, near 

 Yarmouth, manured with herring refuse, most of which they 

 devoured. Local, " Kitty." 



L. melanocephalus. Mediterranean Black-headed Gull. — A. 

 An adult male was shot on Breydon, Dec. 26th, 1886 ; the first 

 example recorded as met with in the British Isles. The wind 

 was south-west on the day it was shot, and north-west the day 

 before. It was identified by Mr. G. Smith, in whose possession 

 it still remains. 



L. canus. Common Gull. — C. Frequent on Breydon in 

 all stages of plumage. More commonly seen off shore during 

 rough weather, generally flying shoulder to wind. Local, " Sea 

 Cob." 



L. argentatus. Herring-Gull. — C. Common in late autumn, 

 when fine adult birds may be observed leading the beach, north 

 or south, according to the winds. Numbers on Breydon, Nov. 

 1900. 



L. cachinnans. Mediterranean Herring Gull. — A. A male 

 of this species shot on Breydon, Nov. 4th, 1886. The first 

 recorded British example (Norf. and Nor. Nat. Soc. vol.vi. p. 417). 



L.fuscus. Lesser Black-backed Gull. — C. Common, more 

 especially in immature plumage. 



L. marinus. Greater Black-backed Gull. — C. Common on 

 Breydon all the year round. A considerable number there all 



