162 



GULL. 



This is a very voracious and fierce species, and inhabits, in pre- 

 ference, the northern parts of this kingdom, though it occasionally 

 visits the south, having been shot near Greenwich, in Kent, and 

 likewise at Sandwich, in the year 1800; is no where more frequent 

 than in the Schetland Isles, and those of Ferroe ; common also in 

 Norway, and as far as Iceland. On the rocky Island Foula* is 

 much esteemed, as it is said to defend the flocks from the Eagle, 

 which it beats and pursues with great fury : the natives denying that 

 it ever injures or even attacks poultry. It preys on the lesser Gulls, 

 and other birds, in the manner of a Hawk, attacking the first on the 

 wing, in order to make them disgorge the fish they may have taken ; 

 in the manner of the Bald Eagle. f During incubation is courageous 

 to an alarming degree, in defence of its young ; as it will then attack 

 several persons in company without fear, should they approach the 

 haunts. J Has been seen in many high latitudes of the southern 

 atmosphere ; met with in Falkland Isles, particularly about Port 

 Egmont, and there called Port Egmont Hen. In this place, and at 

 Terra del Fuego, observed to make the nest among the dry grass ;§ 

 said to lay three or four olive-brown eggs, and marked with dusky 

 clouded spots. After breeding time they disperse over the ocean, 

 and for the most part separate into pairs. || Met with in Kerguelen's 

 Land, and off the Cape of Good Hope, and other parts. % In all 

 places noticed for its ferocity : is frequently seen to attack the largest 

 Albatross, beating it with great violence while on the wing, at which 

 time this giant finds no other resource, than in settling on the water, 

 when the Skua flies away. This may probably be the Sea Crow of 

 Kolben;** said to be in plenty at the Cape, and the flesh delicate, 

 and much valued; but the manners of the Skua seem to differ; it 



* Said to breed there on the Snuke, at the height of 1300 feet, and no where else on the 

 Island of Foula.— Wern. Mem. iv. pt. 2d. 246. 



f See Vol. i. p. 45. J For a fuller account see Brit. Zoology and Dixon's 



Voy. p. 42. § Forst. Voy. l. 293. || Cook's Voy. i. p. 44. 



If See Hawkesw. Voy. ii. 283. Cook's Voy. i. p. 44. 272. Forst. Voy. i. 109. 118. ii. 

 493. Cook's last Voy. i. 88. and elsewhere. ** Kolb. Cap. ii. 241. 



